ROBERT YOUNGBLOOD and the Leopards' three youngest players were celebrating this week after Harris Academy were crowned National School champions at U19 level.

Coach Youngblood led the team to the national title with victories against Barking Abbey and South Gloucestershire and Stroud Academy at the final fours in Stoke.

Forward Rowell Graham, had a 16-point, 12 rebound double-double in the semi-final as Barking Abbey were beaten 83-73.

Dwayne Camille added ten points and six rebounds while Legend Robertin (who was part of the 2011-12 Leopards treble-winning squad), finished with six points and eight rebounds.

Former Leopards Josh Steele and Joe Lockwood were in the Barking Abbey side who went on to claim third place with an 85-75 win against Coplestone High School.

In the final against Bristol-based SGSA, Graham finished with a massive 24 points and 14 rebounds as Harris strolled to an 80-56 victory to take the national title.

Camille finished with 12 points and five rebounds with Robertin adding four points and as many rebounds.

Leopards general manager Dave Ryan was delighted to see the club's young players finishing the season on a high: "It's great to have six players who've played for us over the last two years involved in a national semi-final.

"It shows that not only have we been the most successful side in Division One over the last couple of years, but we've helped develop some young players."

FUN was had by all at the Fyfield Festival, with everything from dogs to bric-a-brac on show.

The annual event, which raises funds for St Nicholas Church, was filled with stalls and events and there was a bit of something for everyone.

"It was a really good day and a great success," said organiser Carol Cox.

"The dog show was very successful and we had nearly 50 entrants.

"In the end, Best in Show was awarded to Emily Hepel with her lovely cavalier King Charles spaniel called Bonny.

"The best puppy went to Bobbie and Oliver Bailey and their shih-tzu called Buddy."

The member of the parochial council added: "It was a really good family day out.

"We are still counting, but so far we have raised £2,600.

"This event is a key part of the Church event calendar as it brings in vital funds."

The festival featured stalls for everyone and the bric-a-brac stand drew in many eager bargain hunters.

A highlight of the day was the children's concert, which, following the festival's theme of hats, featured a number of headpiece based tunes.

A colourful sight, which helped to brighten the day, was the flower competition, featuring over 20 entrants.

The Fyfield Festival has run for three years and the flower festival, which was restricted to just garden displays, was a regular feature for more than 20 years.

Mrs Cox, a resident of 33 years, said: "I wouldn't have been able to do it without a wonderful team of helpers who brought it all together."

A DISGUSTED resident who found a tub full of used hypodermic needles in a Brentwood car park was told by police that they would not remove them.

Jonathan Elmes, 20, of Cannons Mead, found the waste in the car park of the Brentwood Centre in Doddinghurst Road at around 1pm on May 14.

The firefighter found the needles at the back of the overflow car park near the dog training centre.

But when he called the police he was shocked to find that they would not remove the needles, and told him it was an issue for Brentwood Borough Council.

Mr Elmes said: "I informed the police of what I had found and they advised me to get in contact with Brentwood Council.

"I was disgusted with the police when they told me that they could not remove them especially when they asked me to move them into a more visible place.

"It is a public place where children can easily go wandering and come across them, as well as dogs because of the dog training ground."

When Mr Elmes returned two days later the needles were still there.

He added: "The fact is that if there was a needle in a park would they turn around and say 'we can't touch it'?

"It doesn't make sense."

A spokesman from Essex Police said: "Police received a call from a member of the public after they discovered a plastic tub of used needles in the car park to the Brentwood Centre.

"The needles were behind a fence next to an old tyre. Officers contacted Brentwood Council to arrange for collection."

The spokesman added: "According to our records we didn't ask him to move the tub."

A council spokesman said: "We have received no reports of needles found at the Brentwood Centre. Had we done so, we would have removed them with strict adherence to our sharps policy.

"Our teams collect discarded needles with gloves and pickers. They then store them in a sealed and labelled sharps box.

"Sharps are subsequently recorded in our sharps register and placed in a secured container at the depot for disposal as clinical waste."

AFTER endless negotiations, tireless fundraising and one almighty donation, Brentwood can finally rest easy knowing its new war memorial has been truly honoured.

The stone plaque on Middleton Hall Lane, commemorated by Sunday's Royal British Legion parade, simply reads: "Remember with pride and gratitude all those fallen in the service of the Crown in war and conflicts since 1946."

Now campaigners, relieved after two years' organisation and fundraising, are calling on other parishes, towns and cities to follow suit and design a plaque which remembers those who have died since the end of the Second World War.

Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles, the local government secretary, said: "Today was terrifically important.

"What you've just seen in Brentwood is something you will now see all over the country, with towns putting up remembrance plaques for those who have fallen since World War Two.

"This I think, and certainly in Essex, is the first to remember those who have died in battle past 1946.

"There are people in their 80s and 90s who have lost friends and family.

"It's so important for their sake we remember those who have fallen."

The new mayor of Brentwood, Councillor Madeline Henwood, said she had known soldiers who have fallen in battle since 1946 and now hopes to install a similar plaque in her ward of Tipps Cross.

"This memorial was so needed because for those who have lost someone since 1946 – they need somewhere to come," she said.

"I will now suggest one for Blackmore, if there is a need for it."

Brentwood's new memorial was conceived by the Royal British Legion Brentwood branch in May 2011.

After committee member Syd Bryer submitted the design, a fundraising appeal was flagged up in the Gazette, with Co-operative Funeralcare quickly responding.

Yet a local businessman, who remains anonymous to all but a few to this day, donated the necessary £2,000.

Brentwood's Royal British Legion secretary Eunice Woolmore has however had difficulty funding the stage used on the King George's playing fields.

"The council wanted £200 for the stage but we just don't have the money – our money goes towards the Armed Forces," she said.

"They have since withdrawn it and we were told it was just crossed wires.

"I know they have to be paid but I think that was a bit over the top."

Speaking after the parade, Ms Woolmore, 72, was evidently delighted at seeing her plans, as organiser, come together.

"Today was so important and it was long overdue," she said.

"We have to remember them – they gave a lot.

"My husband lost his father to battle – we mustn't forget, we mustn't."

She added: "We've spent two years raising money and we can't thank Brentwood School, for the fields, the Co-operative – who are here today with their hog roast – and the donor enough."

Joan Holmes, 62, who was responsible as then-mayor for bringing the memorial to life with the Royal British Legion, said she was "really pleased".

"It means a lot to me because my father was a submariner in Korea," said the Tower Hill resident.

"The stumbling block in all this was the appeal.

"It has been such a long time in coming and we thought we would never get it – it was so frustrating."

Nearly 300 trumpeting, drumming, whistling and stomping Royal British Legion, Combined Cadet Forces, Air Training Corps, Sea Cadets, Royal Engineers and Royal Navy members surrounded the war memorial as the reverend gave his service.

Reverend Colin Hewitt, of St Thomas of Canterbury Church, who gave thanks to those who made the memorial possible in prayer, said he hoped we would not have any further need to remember the dead.

"But for the people still being killed in Afghanistan, it's good to know they can be remembered," he said.

A BATTLING team performance ensured Havering Mayesbrook's senior squads placed third in their second Southern Athletics League fixture at Norman Park, Bromley on Saturday.

Hurdler George Hadler produced personal bests in all three of his individual events. He set the ball rolling by slicing a second off his 400m hurdles time to win in style, with Robbie Clarricoats also improving his best to take B string honours. He returned to the track to improve his flat 400m PB for another win and trimmed his 110m hurdles time, running as non-scorer.

He combined with Clarricoats, Jack Edgar-Hill and Jeremy Watson to bring the 4x400m home in second with the fastest split. Sprint hurdlers Edgar-Hill and Watson had both finished second in their 110m hurdles races and added points in 100m and 400m respectively.

Another second place and another PB went to sprinter Daniel Margiotta in the B 200m who also set new career marks in the 100m. On the field Pat Lear was also runner up in the javelin.

All-rounder Arron Bonning showed how much he had been missed in the first round, competing in all eight field events, earning second points in both B high jump and pole vault.

Jake Nelson scored in all three jumps, placing second in the B triple jump and joined with vaulter Phil Groombridge, who had earlier placed fourth in his speciality, to score in the chase in the absence of Rob Warner.

The ladies had a much stronger team this time and produced six individual wins and a relay victory. The javelin produced a double as Debbie Knight and Louise Lockwood won A and B and Emma Christmas set her furthest mark since her serious injury a few years back to throw beyond 40m in the non-scoring event – all three rank in the top 25 nationally.

Georgie Taylor won a discus and shot double, and was close to her 400m best. Bethan Siddons showed the benefits of an injury-free spell of training when she won the high jump in a new PB, improving her best set as an U17 seven years ago, and also placed second in the triple jump.

Flic Clarke won the 400m hurdles, with her fastest time since July 2012, and also equalled her best in the sprint hurdles. Michelle Hughes was second in the B triple jump, set a new 200m best, for third, and set a legal best in the long jump. Sarah Wilson was second in the 1500m, in her league debut and joined Georgie Taylor, Flic Clarke and Michelle Hughes in the winning 4x400m relay squad.

Lydia Hallam improved her 400m best and was second in the 3000m where her mum Jane was third in the B in a rare track appearance. Katie O'Sullivan was second in the 400m hurdles B and third in the sprint hurdles, Laura Drew was second in the discus in a new PB and third in the hammer, and Ellie Watson added another runners-up spot in the B high jump, also adding long jump points.

BILLERICAY Town boss Craig Edwards says he is "disappointed" that Rob Swaine has gone back on his word about staying next season after watching the player sign for Hemel Hempstead Town.

However, Edwards, who says Swaine will be missed, revealed there has been huge interest ahead of pre-season training and that he hopes to continue talks with a number of new players.

"Rob gave me his word he was staying, but money talks," the boss said.

"His wages were virtually doubled at Hemel Hempstead and it's disappointing when people give you their word they want to stay and then go.

"He's been excellent for us, and he will be a big loss for us. I'm afraid, these days, money talks.

"He's gone for a better offer and we wish him good luck.

"But we've invited more than 30 players in for pre-season training and we've had a great response in terms of recruitment, including three goalkeepers.

"Nothing has been officially agreed with any new players yet, but what I would say is that the response from players we want to get in has been fantastic."

And Edwards revealed that three more players have left the squad, including striker Jay May.

"Jay has signed for Bromley, we've released Chris Wild, and Alex Osborn has gone back to Dagenham & Redbridge," he said. "Chris had three good years with us, and sometimes it's just a case of changing it up and bringing in some new faces.

"Alex is looking to go out on loan again to a Conference South side so he won't be with us.

"I was looking to keep between eight and 12 of last year's squad. That's taken it down to eight but there are players staying who we're very happy with.

"I think we'll have more energy with the players we add. I'd like to think on the back of a side getting relegated, we'll have a very, very hungry side, perhaps a little bit more youthful."

And with next season's budget set to be reviewed by the club, Edwards hopes to have a couple of sponsors helping the club's finances.

He said: "We don't know the budget yet. Things have been difficult for the club and we've got bills to pay, but we're talking to a couple of prospective sponsors.

"But it's looking good, and it will be a revamped squad – some of it through choice, some of it through players deciding their futures lie elsewhere.

"That happens in non-league football and when we played Conference South clubs last season, the bulk of their squads were contracted until the end of next season."

A VIOLENT axe-wielding gang of robbers who hospitalised two people and stole thousands of pounds from a Romford petrol station have been jailed for a combined period of over 40 years.

The four balaclava-clad accomplices struck as a cash machine at the Esso petrol station in Collier Road was being replenished on June 9.

One cash delivery worker was left temporarily unconscious after being repeatedly punched and stamped on before the group made off with £4,750 in a stolen Vauxhall Vectra which was later found containing an axe.

The attack was one of a string of robberies in East London, Essex and Kent in which several cash delivery staff were left injured.

The men used the axe and the threat of firearms to steal a total of over £91,000.

They were sentenced on Monday after being convicted of robbery and conspiracy to rob offences at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Saqib Waheed, 27, of Katherine Road, East Ham, and Waqaas Mailk, 28, of Mortley Road, Plaistow were each sentenced to 14 years.

Darian Davis, 34, of no fixed abode, received a sentence of eight years and four months and Adam Ephraim, 22, of Lennard Road, Croydon, was jailed for six years.

During an extensive police investigation involving telephone surveillance, the offenders were seen following Loomis and G4S cash-in-transit vans and observing deliveries across the region.

Metropolitan Police officers arrested Waheed and Davis, whilst they committed a cash-in-transit robbery on a Loomis cash delivery at Waitrose, High Road, South Woodford on July 2.

Ephraim and Malik were arrested soon afterwards.

In passing sentence, Her Honor Judge Korner identified Waheed, Malik and Davis as "Dangerous Persons" due to their previous convictions and potential to harm the public.

She acknowledged the violence used during the robberies as being "beyond that which was necessary", and the physical and psychological effects the robberies had on their victims.

Detective Inspector Mark Field of the Flying Squad unit which apprehended the gang said: "This was a very professional outfit which used gratuitous violence in their crimes.

"It is fortunate that no one was seriously injured. It was only through the meticulous work of the Flying Squad that ensured this group are not free to continue committing robbery.

"This operation shows the Flying Squad's commitment in convicting organised criminals engaged in attacks against the cash-in-transit industry."

PAUL GRAYSON says he has been delighted with the reaction of his Essex side since the horror show at Northants last month, but warns consistency moving forward will be key to any success this season.

Victory at Glamorgan last week has seen Essex rise to second in County Championship Division Two. It was a fine all-round display, with the performances of Ravi Bopara with the bat, and David Masters with the ball catching the eye.

It was also another thrilling finish, the third game in a row that has gone down to the wire.

"After the performance at Northants everyone got an early-season kick up the backside and we've had a good response from the players," Grayson said.

"We've had a couple of YB40 victories and are sitting nicely in that competition. And our last three Championship matches have been really exciting.

"We had an excellent win against Hampshire three weeks ago. Chasing 140-odd, we were 30-6, but Graham Napier and Mark Pettini got us over the line. We played really well up in Lancashire and dominated for three days.

"At lunchtime on day three we were in a very strong position, 250-odd in front with only three wickets down. But we lost a day to bad weather.

"Nevertheless, we still felt we could bowl them out in 50 overs, and that is the reason we declared. Since I've been at the club we've always wanted to win matches, the easy option is to bat out the rest of the day for a draw. We thought we could win that match and got a couple of early wickets. Unfortunately, Lancashire chased those down. It was disappointing to lose a game we had controlled.

"But there were some real positives and we took those to Glamorgan. We had a hard game down there over four days and the wicket got flatter and flatter.

"But the bowlers stuck to their task and kept their discipline and it was great to get the win on Saturday evening. It was a very good team performance."

Grayson has been delighted with the way everyone is doing their bit at present. The batsmen are making runs all the way down the order, while the bowlers are sharing out the wickets.

"It has been pleasing," Grayson said. "We've been putting in good team performances. In the Championship everyone is chipping in. We've had some good individual displays as well, but as a unit the team is functioning very well.

"Consistency is going to be key. We've got Kent this week and it will be tough. They are out of form and short on confidence, but have some very good players."

Kent arrived at the County Ground yesterday (Wednesday), but Grayson is refusing to take Jimmy Adams' side lightly and has urged his team to avoid complacency.

"It is always dangerous to look too far in front of yourself," Grayson said. "We've had some very good games against Kent in the past few years.

"They are a very experienced side. At the moment they aren't playing as well as they'd like, but in cricket things can change very quickly.

"They are a dangerous side and we won't take them lightly. We are playing with confidence and will go into the game looking to get another win."

CHELMSFORD'S spinners prevailed in a nervy match between two teams that lost their opening fixture.

Shenfield's dangerous opener Arshad Ali smashed 18 from his first eight balls but his ninth was his last as Mark Drain struck twice in an over. Aaron Beard followed up with his first wicket at this level to make it 37-3.

Sarwar (38) steadied things but was one of two wickets to fall to James Clifford with the score on 96. Kliber (23no) ensured some contribution, but Clifford made sure it was not too many with a splendid 5-22 from his ten overs.

A brilliant catch in the second over of the reply gave Shenfield a boost and, although Jack Sterland looked good, a couple more wickets fell to make it 53-3.

Sterland and Nisarg Patel had a useful partnership but Sterland's innings ended on 43. Patel contributed an unbeaten 60, the best score from a Chelmsford player all weekend.

Paul Jones gave him solid support to see matters to a conclusion with plenty of time and six wickets to spare.

At Chelmer Park, Chelmsford's second team (229-9) played against Shenfield (178-7) in the Shepherd Neame Essex League Premier Division, the match finished in a draw.

Chelmsford won the toss and elected to bat. After an early setback, David Thrift and Lee Cranmer advanced the score to 79.

Bradley Green and skipper Darren Thompson combined in the key partnership of the innings (73). Green (42) was unlucky to be run out at the bowler's end after a fierce drive from Thompson was stopped. Thompson (47) supported by all the lower order engineered a late acceleration to raise the score to 229-9 at the declaration.

Shenfield replied cautiously. Skipper Fulk (60) raised the scoring rate with 157- 5 with six overs left, finishing on 178-7.

Tom Halsey returned 3-45, with two wickets for Craig Thompson and one each for Everard and Court.

A DECORATED police officer caught with thousands of images of underage girls on his computer has been fined just £640.

PC Adam Holbrook of Corporation Road, Chelmsford, was arrested on August 7 last year after surfing the site PrimeJailBait.com

The officer, who was commended for his work at an East London murder scene in 2007, was found to have 16 indecent images of underage girls posing naked or half naked on his computer and fined £40 for each at Westminster Magistrates' Court last week.

District Judge Nicholas Evans said: "It does not matter where the images came from and when they were downloaded.

"It is sufficient in this case for the court to conclude that the defence was browsing for such images of people under 13.

"I did not find his evidence credible or realistic that he was looking for 18 to 19-year-olds that looked younger.

"He deliberately put these images on his screen and I find him guilty of having downloaded all 16 images."

But the 29-year-old was also found in possession of around 3,000 other images depicting young girls.

Giving evidence, Detective Constable James Low, from the Metropolitan Police Paedophile Unit, told the court: "There were over 3,000 images that depicted children or teenagers in various states of undress.

"I was reviewing these images to see if any were indecent.

"I looked at 16 images which I believed depicted children in states of undress and in various erotic poses."

But of the other images, he added: "They depicted girls aged mainly 13 to 18 years old, predominantly schoolgirls in uniforms at school, or they were in bikinis at the beach.

"They weren't indecent but they were in a wide variety of settings and scenarios."

Holbrook denied seeing the pictures or intentionally downloading them but admitted he had visited the site.

"I do view porn online, perhaps once every other day," he told the court.

"I have never tried to view material of people under the age of 18.

"I have never been aware of indecent material on that site. I would have been shocked and certainly would not have visited that website again.

"I am attracted to girls over the age of 18 but certainly not younger."

Expert witness Nicholas Sharples, a computer expert who examined Holbrook's computer, claimed it was possible the police officer did not actually view the images.

He said: "Most of the 3,000 pictures on his computer were largely legal.

"They are stored on the website itself or from other sites but the pictures in question are all gallery sized pictures.

"I found 35 instances where the pictures had been displayed but they were all legal."

PC Holbrook was also ordered to pay £450 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge after the hearing.

He has been placed on the sex offenders' register for five years and remains suspended from duty pending a disciplinary hearing.

BRAINTREE put the icing on the cake of a much-improved 2012-13 campaign by defeating newly promoted Woodford to win the Essex Intermediate Cup.

Tree's opponents may have been expecting a straightforward afternoon's work, but the Black and Ambers had trained hard in the run-up to this encounter and caught their rivals by surprise.

Tree were the better side, with a superior try tally of five to two, but the sin-binning of Dave Martindale ten minutes from time made for a nervy ending.

Chairman of selectors Jeff Lewis said: "This was a richly deserved victory and testament to all the hard work the lads had put in at training in the run-up to the final.

"Woodford have been promoted from our league this season and beaten us twice so we were definitely the underdogs.

"But the lads were really up for it and they defended heroically towards the end of the game when Dave Martindale was in the sin-bin and they came within two points of us.

"We really had to dig deep to protect what we had and it was a joy when Dane Crush sprinted away to score his second under the posts late on and seal the victory.

"It's the first time we've won the Essex Intermediate Cup and it was a great way to finish the season. Full credit to all the boys – now we need a trophy cabinet!"

Kingsley Joslin, Dan Johnston, Dane Crush (2), Myles McLagan scored the tries.

BRUFC: Joslin, Ladyman, D Crush, Adams, Whyatt, Monk, Martindale, Robertson, Avitable, Baker, Pickles, Rivals, Hett, Turner, Johnston. Reps: Joe Stevens, Perry, Jones, Kerr, Dawson, McLagan, K Crush

DEPARTING Kenny Clark has tipped Chelmsford City to be in with a shot of promotion next season, but admitted he could not turn a move to Dartford.

The 24-year-old defender joined the Blue Square Bet Premier club this week along with Clarets' midfielder Max Cornhill.

Clark insists Chelmsford did everything they could to persuade him to stay but the lure of Dartford, who finished the season eighth in non-league football's highest tier, was too strong.

"Chelmsford wanted me to stay and if it hadn't been a team in the league above then I probably would have, but I couldn't turn down that sort of opportunity," Clark said. "All players always want to play at the highest level they can. Since being released by Dagenham & Redbridge I've been tried to work my way back up.

"I'm not getting any younger so I couldn't turn the chance down."

And had previous Clarets' boss Glenn Pennyfather still been in charge, Clarke believes he would have come to the same conclusion.

"Glenn was obviously a massive influence in my career but I don't think it would have made any difference if he had stayed," Clark said. "I just need to test myself at the next level."

And now Clark is looking forward to a new start at the Kent club, but with the familiar face of Cornhill by his side.

"I've been playing alongside Max for the last two years and now I'm still stuck with him, I can't get rid of him!" Clark joked. "Max is a good lad and I suppose it does help to have someone you know there.

"It will be a fresh start though and I will need to get stuck in and earn my shirt again.

"I can't wait to get my head down and start the hard work."

But the defender admits he will miss the Clarets, and after missing out in the play-offs this season, Clark has tipped them for a successful 2013-14.

"Chelmsford is a great club and I had two fantastic years there," he said. "The Chelmsford fans were really good to me and they deserve to see their team in the Conference National. We don't know who the new manager is yet but I'm sure he will bring in a few players and Chelmsford will be there or thereabouts regarding promotion next season."

AS THE new Essex County Council (ECC) cabinet settles in, a series of innovation summits have been unveiled with the purpose of boosting the local economy and ensuring the county leads the way on growth and business support.

ECC will work with Cambridge University's Institute for Manufacturing to set up Supply Chain Innovation and Excellence (SCIE) forums across the county. The summits will see businesses from the advanced manufacturing, logistics, transport and renewable energy sectors identify and overcome common issues and obstacles to development.

ECC has already secured £1.3 million from the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) to fund projects to improve Essex's supply chain, overcome the barriers businesses face and drive economic growth.

Councillor Kevin Bentley, the county council's deputy leader and cabinet member for economic growth and infrastructure, said: "Creating the environment for businesses to flourish and grow our economy is my number one priority.

"When businesses innovate and grow they provide the jobs and careers our county needs, and we will help that by developing the world-class workforce businesses need. We've invested in an economic growth strategy and strong, innovative supply chains are an important part in that work."

HUNDREDS of runners turned out in force for Great Baddow's annual races on Sunday, raising an incredible £12,000 for local charities.

The event, organised by Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club, attracted 750 entries in the ten-mile race and another 700 in the two-mile fun run at Great Baddow Recreation Ground.

More than 130 volunteers helped make the 29th annual event, sponsored by chartered accountants Edmund Carr, possible, while onlookers enjoyed fairground rides, a variety of stalls and enentertainment from Hospital Radio Chelmsford.

President of the Rotary club, Robert Cappin, 69, said: "It was a great success and it seemed everyone had a fantastic time, not just the runners, but the public who came just to watch and enjoy the atmosphere.

"We owe everything to the 130 or so volunteers, 31 are from Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary but we get some help from the other clubs and lots of friends and relatives.

"The Sea Cadets helped to marshal the car park for us and did a great job and we had marshals all along the ten-mile route and at water stations.

"Even my wife Jennie made about 400 cups of tea and that was just for the people who worked on site.

"All in all, it's a very complex operation but one that we're very proud to operate."

The event was launched by Paralympic legend Danny Crates of Maldon.

But the famous runner, who holds the 800 metre world record, did not take part as planned partly because of a calf injury, although he admitted to the crowd it was really because of a late night rugby club dinner.

Former Army infantryman Andrew Bracy, 38, of Burnham on Crouch, was the only wheelchair racer to take part in the event, which he first completed two years ago in a wheelchair bike.

But this time, Mr Bracy, who lost mobility in a motorcycle crash with another vehicle in 2005, took part in the wheelchair he uses every day and finished in a personal best of one hour, 18 minutes and 13 seconds.

He said: "It was different because I play wheelchair basketball but with that it's 40 minutes fast and furious, but this was just to see what my fitness is like on an endurance run.

"I'm quite impressed with how I got on."

The event has raised around £400,000 for local charities since it began almost 30 years ago.

This year the Friends of Hargraves House, a Chelmsford respite centre for young people with severe learning difficulties; the Alzheimer's Chelmsford branch; Riding for the Disabled at Barrow Farm in Highwood; and the Chelmsford Starfish Project which helps people overcome stammers and speech problems, are set to benefit.

ARSONISTS have destroyed 12 tipper trucks valued at more that £1million in an attack at a motorway maintenance depot near Brentwood.

A joint police and fire service probe has been launched following the fires at a site off Codham Hall Lane, Great Warley, close to the M25.

An investigation has shown that separate fires were started in the cabs of all 12 vehicles owned by Middlesex-based firm Derbyoakes. The lorries were being used by the Balfour Beatty and Skanska consortium that had been contracted to work on the multi-billion pound M25 widening works.

The yard, which is close to Junction 29 of the M25 at the A127, is on the former construction site used during the motorway works and is owned by Brentwood farmer Christopher Padfield.

He said: "Whoever had set fire to these lorries knew what they were doing.

"It is pretty clear this was their intention."

Although the site had largely been cleared following the completion of the works, Skanska Balfour Beatty still have a presence on the site as part of its maintenance contract with the Highways Agency.

At one point 48 firefighters from eight fire stations were involved in tackling the blaze on Sunday that was reported at 12.30am.

Essex Police are now appealing for information. Investigating officer Pc Richard Dines said: "We would like to hear from anyone driving past who might have seen any suspicious activity in the area.

"We believe that whoever started these fires might have broken into each lorry to start a fire in the cab which means they could have been in the yard for some time before 12.30am.

"We also want to hear from anyone who might have any information about any events leading to the arson attack."

Anyone who can help should call Pc Dines at Loughton CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Delightedand slightly surprised, the new mayor of Chelmsford says he could not do the job without his wife's loving support.

Astronomy enthusiast Trevor Miller, 73, and former microbiologist Maureen were appointed mayor and mayoress last week, announcing The J's Hospice as their charity of the year.

The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last August and first met at a dance during their days at Reading University.

"Her support is essential. It would be so hard without Maureen because you need some help when you're rushing from one event to another," said grandfather-of-three Trevor, who worked in financial planning and accountancy for British Rail for 33 years.

"It's very nice to be able to share discussions about each engagement with her rather than to tackle it on my own. I couldn't do it without her, I wouldn't even attempt it."

While excited about his new role, Trevor may have to sacrifice a few hours with his telescope in his shed – which boasts a retractable roof.

"The planets and the moon are the most fascinating thing," he said, adding that he has spotted Saturn, Jupiter and Neptune.

The couple, of Foxholes Road in Great Baddow, also love digging out their family history. Trevor says he would not be alive today if his ancestor Robert Baxter had not survived the Napoleonic wars in Spain, as well as his grandfather who fought in the First World War.

One of his earliest memories is his mother celebrating the end of the Second World War.

"She was shouting, 'we're at peace, at peace!' And I thought what is peace? Is this something else I have to deal with?" he recalled.

Trevor, who has been a councillor for 18 years, said it was an honour to support The J's Hospice.

"It's such a good cause and I knew one or two people within it already," he said.

"The work they do is so important, caring for people aged 16 to 40 years old who have a life-threatening illness.

"It's such a hard time for the people concerned to try and fight through and get back to full health."

The J's Hospice held a meeting with the mayor and mayoress only last week and are set to announce an "exciting" new programme for the coming year.

Maureen, 70, said she was pleased to be supporting her husband after his support for her as Great Baddow's county councillor for 12 years.

"Chelmsford is such an interesting city, isn't it? There's a lot of things that are happening. Being near enough to London, it's quite an interesting place," she said.

Trevor said he was surprised and privileged after his fellow councillors suggested he become mayor.

He appointed fellow Lib Dem Jude Deakin as his deputy, who will receive support from Jill Smith-Hughes as her escort.

Trevor has already attended seven engagements as mayor, including a visit to a new radiography unit at Colchester Hospital.