THE NHS walk-in centre at Springfield will close indefinitely in March after clinicians sealed its fate at a committee meeting.

The Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (MECCG) will controversially relocate services from the North Chelmsford NHS Healthcare Centre by Sainsbury's supermarket to Broomfield Hospital.

The current walk-in centre was visited by about 30,000 patients in the last year, an average of 82 people every day.

Liberal Democrat city councillor for north Springfield Ian Fuller, who campaigned alongside colleague Mike Mackrory for the centre to remain open, claimed the CCG meeting at Chelmsford Civic Centre ignored the consultation results.

"It was very disappointing," said Cllr Fuller.

"The chairman just asked at the end 'is anybody against?' There was no vote and no hands going up.

"They didn't really take on board the consultation, and everyone you speak to involved in the consultation realised just how valuable the walk-in centre is."

MECCG accountable officer Caroline Rassell revealed in August that the centre, part of the Sainsbury's supermarket building in White Hart Lane, could close to help slash more than £41 million from the commissioning group's budget over the next five years. The authority claims by moving the out-of-hours and urgent care service to Broomfield Hospital and by encouraging patients to ring the NHS 111 helpline and to visit a pharmacy more, it will save it £1 million per year.

Cllr Fuller added: "Obviously they have to look at the bigger picture, the money situation, but they have no idea how many people are going to use the urgent care centre.

"They think about a third of those who use the walk-in centre might want to use the urgent care centre at Broomfield, but they have no idea, they're stabbing in the dark.

"There might be lots of people who can't get an appointment with their doctor who then turn to the centre, inundating it with patients, and it might struggle to cope.

"Everyone is now concerned about parking at Broomfield."

He added: "I accept they want people to make better use of their pharmacies and the NHS 111 number, but at the end of the day, people like to speak to a doctor, and the walk-in centre provided that in a very convenient setting, so yes, we're disappointed."

The organiser of two controversially recently axed children's balls in Chelmsford has blamed threatening customers for their eleventh hour cancellations.

'Daisie', who runs Precious Princess Parties, said she was now scared to leaving the house after her last minute decision to scrap the event, planned for the Saracens Head Hotel in the High Street this Sunday (December 7).

The balls usually star characters such as Elsa from Frozen, as well as other Disney princesses.

The cancellation prompted a backlash from angry parents, many of whom said they were still waiting for a refund from the £30-a-ticket event.

"The princess ball was cancelled due to the severity of threats that I was receiving towards myself and people stating on Facebook that they were planning to jump me at the event," Daisie told the Chronicle.

"Mobs were going to turn up at the event etc I was not under any circumstances going to put myself or hundreds of children at risk."

Daisie insisted people were now being refunded, "but this is taking time and this has caused me a lot of distress and has put me in fear of leaving the house.

She added: "I have been told by the police that it is against the law for these people to be spreading my name, parents names, address, bank details, and also grandparents names and address.

"This all started on Sunday evening and has continued and is still going on now.

"Examples of the threats are people saying "I'm going to smash your face in", phone calls from men saying I'm coming for you you ***** and many others stating that they were going to attack me at the ball.

"Of course I am disappointed regarding having to cancel it has cost me an awful lot of money which I have now lost. A lot of time was put in to it and I am currently in the process of refunding everyone their ticket money."

JAMES GRAHAM has promised there are "bright things" in store for him after his band Stereo Kicks was booted off the X Factor last weekend.

The Bicknacre lad's band ended up in the bottom two for what would be their third and final time, losing the sing-off to Billericay's Lauren Platt after their rendition of I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz left the judges undecided, and the vote went to deadlock.

But despite the disappointment at having the fewest public votes, which left several band members weeping on stage, James has his sights set on getting a record deal – and has insisted this won't be the last we hear of Stereo Kicks.

"As much as the boys were sad to leave, as they had started to believe they could go all the way, I know the boys are very happy to have got to the quarter finals in such an amazing competition," said James' mum Paula Graham.

"James wants to thank everybody who has voted for him and Stereo Kicks through X Factor and really appreciates all the support they have been given, especially from Essex.

"The boys now have a gruelling schedule of gigs all around the UK, starting this week, and they're all really looking forward to it. They also have a new top management company James Grant Group looking after them, which already manages acts like The Script.

"After Christmas they will be joining the other top seven acts for the X Factor 2015 Tour which is fantastic. James is really looking forward to travelling around the UK and Ireland and getting to perform and hopefully meet the amazing fans that they now have.

"Ultimately, once X Factor is over they are hoping to get a record deal so they can begin recording their own music which is really exciting."

James seemed chipper the day after the band's defeat, tweeting: "Been a weird day! Can't believe XF is over for us! But we had an amazing time and met some amazing people! Love everyone at @TheXFactor". However, Paula says the boys do feel they were at a disadvantage during Saturday's performance.

"It was sad and disappointing to see the boys go on Sunday. As usual, Stereo Kicks had a difficult time on the Saturday with their choreography being cut literally minutes before they went on stage, which made their first performance very difficult as they literally had an empty stage and had no choice but to stand in a line and just sing," she explained.

"They felt they were so disadvantaged on Saturday as the other four acts had amazing staging, dancers, props, lighting and so on and Stereo Kicks literally had a bare stage for both songs. There was no way they could compete really with the other contestants' amazing productions in what was such a crucial week."

The boys' dramatic evening didn't end with their X Factor defeat though, as they then got embroiled in a Twitter war of words with Katie Hopkins, a former contestant on The Apprentice.

Following the band's exit, the notoriously-opinionated Hopkins tweeted: "Stereos***s wishing they had spent a bit of time at school instead of practising with a hairbrush in the mirror. Burger King kick. NEET kick".

But the columnist didn't have the last word, as Stereo Kicks' Tom angrily responded: "@KTHopkins I got 3 A*s and a B at A Level. You n*b. – Tom".

But the Twitter fight doesn't seem to have quelled the boys' optimism, with James tweeting to fans on Monday: "Literally just woke up!! What a lay in! bright things ahead for me and the lads! The hard work starts now!!!"

THE NHS walk-in centre at Springfield will close indefinitely in March after clinicians sealed its fate at a committee meeting.

The Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (MECCG) will controversially relocate services from the North Chelmsford NHS Healthcare Centre by Sainsbury's supermarket to Broomfield Hospital.

The current walk-in centre was visited by about 30,000 patients in the last year, an average of 82 people every day.

Liberal Democrat city councillor for north Springfield Ian Fuller, who campaigned alongside colleague Mike Mackrory for the centre to remain open, claimed the CCG meeting at Chelmsford Civic Centre ignored the consultation results.

"It was very disappointing," said Cllr Fuller.

"The chairman just asked at the end 'is anybody against?' There was no vote and no hands going up.

"They didn't really take on board the consultation, and everyone you speak to involved in the consultation realised just how valuable the walk-in centre is."

MECCG accountable officer Caroline Rassell revealed in August that the centre, part of the Sainsbury's supermarket building in White Hart Lane, could close to help slash more than £41 million from the commissioning group's budget over the next five years. The authority claims by moving the out-of-hours and urgent care service to Broomfield Hospital and by encouraging patients to ring the NHS 111 helpline and to visit a pharmacy more, it will save it £1 million per year.

Cllr Fuller added: "Obviously they have to look at the bigger picture, the money situation, but they have no idea how many people are going to use the urgent care centre.

"They think about a third of those who use the walk-in centre might want to use the urgent care centre at Broomfield, but they have no idea, they're stabbing in the dark.

"There might be lots of people who can't get an appointment with their doctor who then turn to the centre, inundating it with patients, and it might struggle to cope.

"Everyone is now concerned about parking at Broomfield."

He added: "I accept they want people to make better use of their pharmacies and the NHS 111 number, but at the end of the day, people like to speak to a doctor, and the walk-in centre provided that in a very convenient setting, so yes, we're disappointed."

ILL DISCIPLINE cost ten-men Maldon and Tiptree as they were beaten 4-0 at Ware at Wodson Park.

The home side completely dominated the first half as goals from Ryan Wade and then Kieran Bishop put them two up within 16 minutes.

Ware grabbed a controversial third before madness ensued when Max Lette-Jallow was sent off for needlessly kicking out at Albert Adu.

Khale Dacosta grabbed the fourth and clinched all three points in a feisty second half.

Ware got off to a fantastic start and had two efforts cleared off the line in the opening eight minutes. Firstly Wade tried to chip Lewis Moore when the keeper came out to clear, but Gavin Greenfield did brilliantly to get back and head away. From the following corner, Adu's effort was headed over by Mitch Hunter on the Jammers' post.

But the breakthrough came just two minutes later when Moore rushed out and collided with two of his defenders. The ball broke to Dacosta on the right wing who crossed into Wade to head home at the back post.

And Wade would turn provider in the 16th minute when Dacosta once again found him at the back post with a cross. This time the forward headed across the goal to striking partner Bishop who had the simple task of tapping in at the back post.

After the first 20 minute blitz, the Jammers started to get more into the game, but were unable to really put their stamp on it. Their only chance fell to Cliff Akurang whose shot on the edge of the box was well blocked by Arturs Reinis.

But the Jammers were unable to mount any real threat going forward, as the home side continued to find way too much space in the middle of the park.

Maldon started the second half better, when Tunde Adewunmi went close with an effort from 25 yards.

But Wade came close again with ten minutes of the half gone. His long-range free-kick drifted over everybody and cannoned off the bar.

However, in the 57th minute the real controversy of the game occurred leading up to Ware's third goal. Alberto Pinto and Finbarr Robins clashed off the ball down the left, with both teams claiming the other team's player lashed out. Everybody stopped, apart from Bishop who raced through and finished into the bottom corner. After a lengthy discussion, the referee and linesman decided that the goal should stand.

Maldon were reduced to ten-men when Lette-Jallow ridiculously hacked down Adu as he ran down the left wing. A mass melee occurred as the two benches cleared, with referee Tim Donnellan having no option to but to show a straight red card.

It would always then be an uphill struggle for the Jammers after that, and Ware pounced to get their fourth in the 77th minute. The winger latched on to a through-ball and fired towards goal, with Moore half-stopping it but the ball bouncing in anyway.

Ware: R Madden, Reinis, Fowler, G Madden, Dacosta, Oujidi, Robins, Hervel (Clark 82'), Bishop (Osie 77'), Adu, Wade (Florence 74').

Subs not used: Shehu.

Bookings: Fowler (42'), R Madden (65')

Goals: Wade (10'), Bishop (16', 57'), Dacosta (77')

Maldon and Tiptree: Moore, Thomas, Hunter, Glover, Ruddock, Greenfield, Pinto, Lette-Jallow, Akurang (Oyinsan 74'), Adewunmi (Anderson 55'), Koranteng.

Subs not used: Taylor, Ashford, Warren

Bookings: Ruddock (66'), Pinto (67'), Greenfield (73')

Sent off: Lette-Jallow (64')

Referee: Tim Donnellan 

HEYBRIDGE Swifts were pegged back twice in their 2-2 draw with Tilbury and Wayne Bond's first game in charge as interim boss.

A goal in the second minute from Billy Hunt provided the perfect start for the home side but Tilbury equalised through Joe Nightingill.

Swifts regained the lead minutes before half-time when Joe Pearman's free-kick was headed in by Neil Richmond but with 15 minutes left Tilbury found a second equaliser when Matt Game half-volleyed past Danny Sambridge.

The home side made just two changes following their midweek 3-0 defeat to Wroxham with Jon Glowacki coming in for Aaron Gayle whilst Damien Green made his second appearance in place of Frank Griffin.

Heybridge made the perfect start two minutes in when Pearman spearheaded a breakaway attack to and found Hunt with acres of space in the box who finished with aplomb to put his side 1-0 up.

Swifts were sniffing blood early on as Tilbury were yet to settle and could have doubled their lead minutes latter from a Pearman corner when Jon Glowacki's header down was almost turned in Danny Barber at the far post.

After their slow start the away side started to play their way back into the match and on 21 minutes found the equaliser.

Nightingill was in the right place at the right time to turn in a Ryan Flack corner from two yards out after Damien Green failed to clear.

The equaliser had settled Tilbury back into the match and they started to threaten the Swifts' defence but the home side dealt with any pressure comfortably.

Five minutes before half-time the home side had a good chance to reclaim their lead when Glowacki stole the ball off Nightingill at the back and was through on goal but hooked his shot off target.

Just minutes before the whistle though Heybridge managed to get their second with Pearman the architect again, this time from a free-kick, and Richmond was on hand to direct the ball into the far corner with his head.

Ten minutes into the second half Heybridge had a half a chance to extend their lead when Richmond beat the offside trap but his shot trickled past the post after he slipped.

With 15 minutes to go Heybridge were pegged back for a second time when their failed clearance fell to Game on the edge of the box and hit a half-volley into the far corner.

Tilbury had a brilliant chance to grab a winter with ten minutes left when Ryan Flack manoeuvred himself space in the box but Danny Barber did brilliantly to block a certain goal and keep the scores level.

Heybridge line-up: Sambridge, Boswell, Barber, Green, Fitzgibbon, Glowacki, Morgan, Bryan, Richmond, Hunt, Pearman (Dziadulewicz 82).

Unused subs: Weemes, White, Lopez, Gayle.

FOUR goals in a fantastic second half display gave Chelmsford City a fine win over Hemel Hempstead Town.

After an even first half City took the game to the visitors after the break and Michael Cheek put them ahead on 56 minutes before Rohdell Gordon made 2-0 on 72 minutes.

Lee Sawyer put the result beyond doubt with eight minutes to go and Jason Williams added some gloss with a fourth two minutes from time.

The victory, their second successive at Melbourne Park in the Conference South, saw City put the cup defeats to Bishop's Stortford and Aveley firmly in the past and lifted them up to ninth in the table, just two points off the play-offs.

City made three changes from the team that lost 4-3 at Stortford in the FA Trophy the previous Saturday, with Leon Redwood, Yado Mambo and Williams coming in for Nicky Nicolau, Christian Smith and Marvin Ekpiteta, who all dropped to the bench.

Hemel threatened early on as Moussa Diara almost got on the end of a corner at the back post before Oliver Hawkins should have done better when Ed Asafu-Adjaye's cross was flicked on by Jordan Parkes in the box, leaving the big striker unmarked. But he scuffed his effort and City keeper Bradley Watkins easily saved.

City threatened with a series of corners but the visitors held out. Leon Redwood's deep free-kick on the right touchline was tipped behind by Hemel keeper Laurie Walker.

City were forced into an early substitution on 34 minutes, when Mark Haines, who had gone down after suffering a blow to the face, couldn't carry on with a black eye and Ekpiteta replaced him.

The visitors had their best chance on 38 minutes when, after winning successive corners, Matthew Saunders brought a full length save out of Watkins with a fierce drive from the edge of the penalty area.

Four minutes before the break City almost broke the deadlock as Mark Hughes got his head to Redwood's corner a flicked the ball goalwards, but Diara headed off the line.

City came out with a greater impetus in the second half and the pace of Joe Ward, Gordon and Williams began to trouble the visiting back line.

Cheek had a shot blocked in the box, that went out for a corner, before Gordon almost got in after Ward's bursting run at the centre of the defence.

The goal eventually came on 65 minutes. Rob Girdlestone was found in space on the right and his deep cross to the back post was challenged for by Gordon.

The ball fell loose and Cheek crashed home from 12 yards out.

Seven minutes later City had doubled their lead and in style as Gordon picked the ball up on the left and surged into the penalty area before slotting past Walker from eight yards out.

With nine minutes to go Watkins again denied Saunders with another good save with City clearing the rebound for a corner.

They cleared the set piece and broke with pace as Williams carried to ball before releasing Ward down the right channel, he got to the penalty area and then squared for Sawyer who fired home to seal the three points.

On 86 Watkins was tested again, this time flying to deny Hemel substitute Dennis Oli's striker from the edge of the area.

But the Clarets rounded off their second half display in style as Williams ran at the visitors' defence, Cheek was in space to the right, but he ignored shouts to pass and carried to the ball to the edge of the box before shooting into the bottom left corner.

Chelmsford City: Watkins, Girdlestone, Haines (Ekpiteta 34), Mambo, Redwood; Ward (Nicolau 87), Hughes, Sawyer, Gordon; Williams (Jake Gordon 88), Cheek. Unused subs: Smith, Gregory.

It's the time of the week again when you reach for that ticket! The National Lottery numbers have been drawn by Katherine Jenkins for Saturday, December 6.

The lucky winner will collect a rollover tonight after no one person won the jackpot on Wednesday. Tonight's jackpot stands at £5.6million.

There is also a raffle draw open to all those who enter, with 50 winners in with a chance of collecting £20,000 each.

So are you ready? Tonight's numbers are: 19, 45, 23, 49, 40, 43 and the Bonus Ball is 8

The Thunderball draw results were 36, 15, 11, 6, 10, 3

The lines will soon be open for the next draw on Wednesday, December 10

Last Wednesday's draw made 144,810 cash winners. If you missed that, the numbers were 4, 17, 19, 25, 35, 37 and the Bonus Ball was 7.

Lotto draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday. It costs £2 per play. The Lotto jackpot rolls over and grows each time it's not won. The maximum number of rollovers is four.

AFTER 250 years spent delivering the news to our readers' doorsteps, the Essex Chronicle has been handed a prestigious civic award.

Chelmsford mayor Bob Villa, on behalf of Chelmsford City Council, handed Chronicle senior editor Paul Dent-Jones the award at the council's Showcase for Business event.

"I was delighted and immensely proud to receive this award on behalf of one of the oldest newspapers in the country," said Paul.

"For a quarter of a millennium Chronicle reporters have been holding the powers-that-be to account and striving to inform the city of goings-on from all corners of society.

"Fast forward to today, and that mentality hasn't changed. I'm very grateful to the city council for the recognition, which places us alongside some fantastic individuals and businesses who have scooped the same award historically."

The newspaper first graced Chelmsford in the form of a four-page newsletter in 1764, 24 years before The Times was printed, after bookseller William Strupar put quill to paper.

It was handmade in his Chelmsford High Street shop and served most of the Home Counties, covering everything from world wars and the moon landing, to local fundraisers and football, before evolving into the multimedia business that survives today.

In 2012 the paper, one of the oldest businesses in the county, rallied behind the council to push for Chelmsford's eventual city status.

Cllr Villa said: "Local economies evolve and businesses come and go, so to have a 250-year-old business still here in Chelmsford is truly unique. And what could be more appropriate than recognising this at the Chelmsford City Showcase for Business event which has the theme of "Get Connected" – connecting people and business is something that this business does extremely well.

He added: "So with this in mind, it gave me great pleasure to ask Paul to accept the civic award in acknowledgment of the Essex Chronicle's 250 years of journalism, providing news to the local community of Chelmsford and beyond."

Previous winners of the civic award include multiple sclerosis sufferer and health campaigner Susie Cornell MBE, prolific sandwich manufacturer Raynor Foods, art teacher Lynne Timmington, and the late disability campaigner Daphne Race MBE.

CLAIMS that building waste, soil and wood are being illegally dumped near a nature reserve and a river are being investigated by the Environment Agency.

Residents who live near Straits Mill, off Convent Lane in Bocking, say they've seen trucks carrying bricks and other waste, dumping their loads by the riverbank and then burying it under soil.

A group of 15 residents, including councillors and members of the Convent Lane and Broad Road Action Group (CLABRAG), visited the site on Thursday morning to survey the situation.

They claim to have discovered mounds of soil and wood piled up on the land at Straits Mill, and that the area is in a worse state than when they last visited earlier this month, as soil has pushed water further along the riverbank and caused flooding of the cycleway on the Bocking and Blackwater Nature Reserve.

The area, which is popular with dog-walkers, also contains a disused quarry, two ponds and several large fields.

Cllr Gordon Helm, Ukip Essex County Councillor for Bocking, said: "On the fields and the river bank, waste has been spread to a depth of several feet, thus raising the height of the ground considerably.

"This has been lightly covered with a thin layer of topsoil and it is this that is running off into the river that concerns the local residents.

"Straits Mill is an historic landfill site but it is an area of outstanding natural beauty, bounded on the North East by a truly beautiful Essex green lane. It appears that somebody is trying to make this delightful area as unattractive as possible, so that it is not used by the public and therefore never becomes a recognised amenity. But it is not being used for farming.

"It appears that it is being used as a waste tip again.

"Residents are worried about just what is being dumped and what is leaching out into our River Blackwater."

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "We are aware of it and we are investigating claims of illegal dumping next to the River Blackwater."

Ownership of the land is under dispute, both representatives from G & B Finch based in Great Leighs and JS Wright and Sons Ltd in Boreham have a claim to the land.

But no representative from either firm wanted to comment on the investigation.

If anyone suspects dumping the Environmental Agency has a hotline of 0800 80 70 60 for people to call.

LAST month people all over the country donned poppies for Remembrance Sunday, while veterans and dignitaries laid thousands of wreaths at war memorials. But what happens to them once the ceremonies are over?

In Chelmsford, Simon Moston gathers the iconic garlands up – along with surplus individual poppies from friends – before driving them 210 miles across the Channel where he lays them on the graves of fallen soldiers at the Somme battlefield.

The chartered surveyor, who has been acting as a Somme tour guide for friends and family for more than a decade, began taking wreaths after seeing so many discarded.

"I have been acting as a bit of a tour guide for people I know for about 11 years now, and I go over there quite regularly. I'm just really interested in it," said the 48-year-old, who is planning his next journey in May.

"I used to see people just throwing their poppies away after Remembrance Sunday, and I said to a few people at work 'I'm going over there soon, I'll take them and put them on some of the graves'. Then they started bringing poppies from their friends, and it just grew.

"People are humbled to know their poppy has been taken over to the Somme and is on one of the graves there. After I had been doing that for a while, my father-in-law Alan Arnot, who was Mayor of Chelmsford at the time, asked if I could take the Chelmsford wreaths from the war memorial over to the Somme as well."

As well as having a historical interest in the war, the father-of-two has a personal interest as his grandfather fought there.

"My grandfather, Ernest Byard, was in the Somme. He was in the Royal Field Artillery and was one of the few people who survived," said Simon, of Quilp Drive. "He actually turned 21 on July 1, 1916, the first day of the Somme. Unfortunately all his records, like so many who saw action in the First World War, have been lost as a German bombing during the Second World War caused a fire in the records office.

"For a guide, it's so frustrating that I don't know exactly where he was, but he always used to joke that it was an interesting way to spend his 21st birthday, so I know that of all the battlefields in the First World War, he was at the Somme, so I know at some point when I am there I will be re-tracing his footsteps."

Luckily for Mr Moston, his wife Chiquita and daughters Samara, 16, and Cerys, 15, share his enthusiasm for history, often laying the wreaths alongside him.

"We always go over for at least a week for our family holidays," said Mr Moston. "Luckily my daughters still show an interest in it, so while I do guiding, they do their holiday stuff, and we all lay wreaths together.

"I haven't been able to get over there as much as I would like recently, so I have a bit of a backlog of wreaths at home, but I will take them all over eventually.

"We like to be able to take wreaths from youth groups and put them on the graves of younger soldiers, or with wreaths for other conflicts I will take them to the national cenotaph.

"I will keep doing this until I drop. This isn't a hobby, it's a passion, and it's different."

To donate your poppies or wreaths, call the newsdesk on 01245 602721 or e-mail Newsdesk@essexchronicle.co.uk

CHELMSFORD Amateur Boxing Club hosted a charity dinner event at Boreham House on Thursday last week.

The show started with a minute's silence in memory of the club's former ambassador Bob Miller.

Louis O'Doherty kicked the proceedings off in his first-ever contest, against Charlie Goodman from Battlesbridge, Kent.

Goodman, the taller of the two, boxed cleverly, waiting for O'Doherty to pounce.

The Chelmsford boxer produced some great flurries, while Goodman tried to stand his ground with O'Doherty edging the first two rounds.

The final round was more convincing for O'Doherty, who gave Goodman a standing count.

The referee raised the Chelmsford boxer's arm in victory by a unanimous vote.

Second to box was Louis Theedam, up against the much taller, awkward Paul Gordon from Harwich.

There was a definite clash of styles with Theedam struggling to come to terms with Gordon's long reach, although he did have some success.

Theedam did his best to catch the rangy Gordon. It was a close contest and the crowd were split on who won, as were the judges, who gave the result to Gordon by a split decision.

Third boxer to compete was Courtney Walcott, against Toure Abdoul from Southend.

Abdoul looked dangerous from the start, throwing some heavy shots, with Walcott defending himself well and coming back with some good counters.

The second round followed the same pattern and the third round was also close. The judges were split and the decision went the Southend boxer's way.

The fourth Chelmsford boxer on view was Matt Saunders, up against a slightly more experienced opponent, Connor Halloway from Attleborough.

Throughout the contest Saunders showed off his great counterpunching skills and good footwork as his fearless opponent ploughed forward relentlessly.

Saunders showed a great boxing maturity and, amazingly, the judges were split in their verdict in favour of the Chelmsford fighter.

The last one to box in the club's colours of claret and white was Akib Baig, up against Robert King from Chadwell.

From the sound of the bell Baig flew out of his corner, aggressively throwing some heavy combinations that connected with his surprised opponent.

Several punches landed on King's nose, causing damage. As a result, the referee called for the doctor, who prevented the contest from continuing, giving Baig his first technical knockout.

Graham North, the club's matchmaker, said: "Tonight we had five winners; in my eyes, our lads were fantastic."

Club coach Dave Hull said: "It's amazing how we have turned these lads into up-and-coming boxers in only six months, and they really could become champions of the future."

The club's next open show will be on Saturday, February 7.

Premier League and Championship teams will enter the hat for the FA Cup Third Round draw tonight.

Five non-league sides are guaranteed the chance to go up against the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer will help conduct the draw, which comes live from Hull.

Current holders Arsenal are ball number two, while Blyth Spartans are number 52.

The third round ties will take place in the first weekend of January.

Full draw:

1. AFC Bournemouth

2. Arsenal

3. Aston Villa

4. Birmingham City

5. Blackburn Rovers

6. Blackpool

7. Bolton Wanderers

8. Brentford

9. Brighton & Hove Albion

10. Burnley

11. Cardiff City

12. Charlton Athletic

13. Chelsea

14. Crystal Palace

15. Derby County

16. Everton

17. Fulham

18. Huddersfield Town

19. Hull City

20. Ipswich Town

21. Leeds United

22. Leicester City

23. Liverpool

24. Manchester City

25. Manchester United

26. Middlesbrough

27. Millwall

28. Newcastle United

29. Norwich City

30. Nottingham Forest

31. Queens Park Rangers

32. Reading

33. Rotherham United

34. Sheffield Wednesday

35. Southampton

36. Stoke City

37. Sunderland

38. Swansea City

39. Tottenham Hotspur

40. Watford

41. West Bromwich Albion

42. West Ham United

43. Wigan Athletic

44. Wolverhampton Wanderers

45. Oxford United or Tranmere Rovers

46. Bury or Luton Town

47. Wrexham

48. Scunthorpe United or Worcester City

49. Colchester United

50. AFC Wimbledon

51. Accrington Stanley or Yeovil Town

52. Blyth Spartans

53. Chesterfield

54. Southport

55. Gateshead

56. Doncaster Rovers

57. Preston North End

58. Barnsley or Chester

59. Bradford City

60. Sheffield United

61. Dover Athletic

62. Cambridge United or Mansfield Town

63. Bristol City

64. Aldershot Town or Rochdale

The FA Cup third round draw will take place on BBC Two and BBC Radio Five Live from 7pm tonight

ELLIE Goulding, One Direction, Dame Shirley Bassey and comedian Michael Mcintyre can be seen gracing the same stage tonight for the annual Royal Variety Show.

Goulding, the singer behind hit-single Anything Could Happen, appears in an extraordinary 600ft-long gown which took three people five whole days to construct.

In the pre-recording she belted out ballads How Long Will I Love You and Explosions in front of a crowd including Queen Elizabeth, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.

The 27-year-old Herefordshire-born and former Kent University student said: "The Royal Variety Performance has had the most unbelievable list of iconic performers take part over the last 100 years."

"To be able to be a part of this incredible event is truly an honour."

Also on the set list is One Direction, Dame Shirley Bassey, Demi Lovato, Ed Sheeran, Bette Midler, Mcintyre on hosting duties, Jack Whitehall, Sarah Millican, Russell Kane, McBusted, the multi-award winning musical cast of Miss Saigon, critically acclaimed tenor Alfie Boe, Ladysmith Black Mambazo's Inala, Trevor Noah, magician Stephen Mulhem and Britain's Got Talent winners Collabro.

Money raised from the event goes to the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund.

The show is on ITV1 tonight at 7.30pm.

The death of a woman who was discovered at a property in Chelmsford over the weekend is being treated as 'non-suspicious'.

Police were called to the home in Waterhouse Lane just before 5.30pm on Saturday (December 6) following reports a woman in her 40s had died.

Ambulances, police and forensics officers could still be seen at the junction with Writtle Road at about 7pm following the tragedy.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Police were contacted just before 5.30pm on Saturday with reports of a sudden death of a woman at a house in Waterhouse Lane in Chelmsford.

"Officers attended and discovered a woman aged in her 40s had died.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner."

TEN games and ten defeats – that's the miserable statistic that haunts hapless Braintree as they contemplate the worst start to a season in recent memory.

The latest lost came on Saturday as they went down 55-28 at home to Saffron Walden in London Two South East.

Tree's long suffering management team must be wondering what they have to do to record a win in an horrendous campaign which has so far left them staring relegation firmly in the face.

On the positive side the black and ambers played with flair for large periods of a fiercely contested north Essex derby, and only ran out of steam in the last quarter.

But unless they get better commitment to training and a more settled side, their stay in the division looks like it is coming to an inevitable end.

Bolstered by several players returning from injury and university studies Tree started strongly, applying early pressure, taking a 3-0 lead through a penalty from Joss Adams.

They then secured ball from Walden's re-start and went on an attack which saw Elliot Dawson make a superb carry from halfway deep into the visitors' 22.

Dawson off-loaded to Adams whose pass put the impressive Josh Hine in for an unconverted try in the corner and an 8-0 lead.

But they switched off for the next re-start and Walden added two converted tries in quick succession to establish a 14-8 advantage.

Conceding two tries in such a short space of time stung Tree back into action and their forwards, who matched the visitors to the man, soon set up an unconverted try for Connor Gale to make it 13-14.

They continued to make defensive mistakes though and conceded a penalty which Walden kicked into touch before executing a converted pushover try from a line-out catch and drive move extended their lead to 13-21.

But in an end-to-end encounter they quickly went on the offensive again and scored their best try of the game.

A well worked line-out move inside Walden's 22 saw the ball fed out to Dawson, Adams and then Hine, who left three defenders in his wake to score an unconverted try, making it 18-21 at half-time.

Unfortunately Tree didn't start the second half as they had the first, Walden scoring a converted try on 45 minutes to put themselves 28-18 ahead.

But the home side refused to lie down, providing a tangible glimpse of hope for their fans when first Hine, completing his hat-trick, and then Mark Loftus, scored unconverted tries to level the score.

Inevitably though Tree's returning players weren't as match-fit as their opponents and the hosts faded noticeably in the last 20 minutes.

An unconverted try and a successful penalty enabled Walden to establish a 36-28 lead, and although the hosts rallied again they were unable to breach the visitors' defences again.

The end of the game was delayed by a bad injury to Tree flanker Nick Spearman, who was taken out off-the-ball by Walden's loose head prop with a dangerous tackle which didn't involve his arms.

By the time he had been treated by paramedics and driven off in an ambulance and the game had re-started, the stuffing had been knocked out of the home side.

Walden were able to add three further tries, two of which were converted, to clinch a 55-28 victory which, although slightly flattering, was ultimately deserved.

Braintree's joint-coach Brian Joslin, who missed the end of the game as he went to hospital with his injured flanker, said: "It was a much improved performance on the Campion game.

"The forwards did exceptionally well and in the backs Elliot Dawson, Josh Hine and Joss Adams had great games.

"We just ran out of steam in the last quarter and then we had a man hospitalised by an appalling tackle which cost us one of our best players and really knocked the stuffing out of us.

"It's never nice to see players badly injured, especially in circumstances like those which saw Nick taken out, and it left a bit of a bad taste in the mouth."

Tree have a massive game next weekend when they travel to Upminster to take on Old Cooperians, the only side below them in the league.