A GROUP of businesswomen have dared to bare all to create a saucy new calendar to raise money for Farleigh Hospice.

The fun-loving Business Women's Network decided to strip naked in all weathers in the spring for the hospice for the third year in a row – even shooting in a snowstorm on Clacton Pier.

Organised by Sally Parkinson, who owns a photography business in Colchester, and Clare Lauwerys from Peldon, who works in IT and web design in Chelmsford, the calendar has already made £3,000 for the charity.

The brave businesswomen live and work all over Essex with the calendar shot in some of the county's most famous locations like Clacton pier, Mersea's vineyards and even a Maldon barge.

"We've been naked on the beach in the snow, we've been on Clacton pier in the wind and rain and in a goat farm with goats. Once you get your kit off with someone outside in the snow you form a special bond," laughed Clare.

Although the BWN refute the stereotypical Essex-girl image, one of the pictures includes a white stiletto as a casual nod to their famous reputation.

"We know the stereotype for the typical Essex girl so we decided to show off the less-known parts of Essex, those not quite in the know. "But you just wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a white stiletto these days," added Clare.

Mandie Holgate, a women's business coach from Mersea Island who works in Chelmsford, has helped with the organisation for the last three years.

She said: "You would be surprised just how many women wanted to take part.

"Each venue let us use their property for free so it was a good effort from a lot of people."

The BWN took part in the calendar as part of a challenge from Farleigh Hospice to local businesses to raise as much money as they could with a £50 investment in a three-month period – the BWN didn't spend a penny of it.

"We're grateful to Simmons printers of Chelmsford for printing at a huge discount, which was covered by our sponsors. The calendar is for sale in the hospice shops soon and if any retailers in Chelmsford would like to stock it in the run-up to Christmas please get in touch," said Clare.

Visit www.thebusinesswomansnetwork.co.uk/2013/calendar

A TOWERING sunflower, a scene of Annecy in France, and a heart full of magazine cutouts. These are just some of the pieces of art created by bereaved children working through their grief.

The Yo-Yo Project at Farleigh Hospice opened up its gallery on September 10, displaying work created by 15 children and young people who have suffered loss, and who have used art as a means of coping with the experience.

With every single piece packing an emotional punch, family and friends gathered at the hospice on North Court Road to share, admire, and talk about the significance of the artwork.

"There was a sunflower in the garden that was taller than me and daddy even when I sat on his shoulders. It was his favourite flower, which is what my painting is about," said seven-year-old Stephanie Hawkins, who lost her father Pip to cancer in July 2011.

"I like the picture and I think daddy would like it too, I also drew Rosie the Robin who lives in our garden."

Mum Lesley believes the project, which works with people from the age of four up until 18, has been crucial at a time when the young girl from Burnham-on-Crouch is still coming to terms with her loss.

"I think it has helped, she was struggling a little bit and growing older so she had more and more questions that needed answering," said Lesley, who alongside her daughter will be the face of Farleigh's 2013 Light up a Life campaign, where people light a candle in memory of a loved one.

For sisters Chloe and Leah Bolton, whose mother Teresa died suddenly at her Witham home at just 35, the freedom to express themselves was highly cathartic.

"The project helped as we could write or draw anything we wanted about mum, we could open up about her and talk as much as we liked," said Chloe, 14.

"Everything in my picture represents something about my mum," added 16-year-old Leah May, who points to a vibrant collage of magazine cut-outs, formed in the shape of a heart. "She was bubbly, she loved roller-blading, wearing denim jackets, and she fancied policemen and Peter Andre, which I do too."

Many of the pieces, which will be displayed at the Chelmsford hospice until October 31, create a memento to the happiest of memories of lost siblings, parents or grandparents.

Brothers Ewan and William Ferguson both recreated the yearly trips to Annecy that their father William loved so much in their paintings.

And while 12-year-old Grace Rutland captures her father David's love of Chelsea football club, her brother Sonny, 11, celebrates his weakness for spicy Nando's chicken.

But others are far darker and provide an insight into the internal turmoil of a bereaved child, with one depicting a house that resembles a skeleton, and another showing a black home, with blackened windows.

"It's a chance for them to express their feelings through the piece of art, they can create a memory they can hold in their hands," explained counsellor Peggy Hart.

"We tailor our approach on the project to each child, some won't want to talk but they can create something memorable."

Bereavement services team leader Mark Cobbin added: "The children and young people who utilise Farleigh Hospice's Yo-Yo Project are currently coping with some very difficult and emotional circumstances, which obviously result in them creating some emotional and very personal work.

"Each piece of work has an association to someone significant in their lives who is either seriously ill, or deceased.

"It's great to have this opportunity for the children, and members of their families, to get together to share and discuss their work, along with everyone else's.

"Feedback in previous years has indicated that the families really get a lot out of the afternoon, both in terms of enjoyment and support."

Over the past year the Yo-Yo Project and Circle adult bereavement support service provided 1,287 one-to-one sessions, completely free of charge, to help support local pre and post bereaved children, young people and adults.

The two teams also had a total of 776 new people referred to their services.

If you would like to make a referral or get some advice about the service, call 01245 457300 or e-mail yoyoproject@farleigh hospice.org

A VICTIM of the "bedroom tax" claims she could now be dead if she had not found work within days of failing to secure full-time employment in April.

Barbara Johnson – just one of 300 people affected by the government-imposed Spare Room Subsidy in Brentwood – faced having to leave her council house in Wainwright Avenue, Hutton, because her housing benefit was due to drop by 14 per cent

Coupled with the fact that the 42-year-old would have had to pay 20 per cent council tax on her two bedroom property, she estimated that she would have had less than £5 a week to pay for food, clothes and travel.

Barbara said she would have contemplated taking her own life if she had been forced to leave the council house deemed by the authorities to have one unused bedroom and therefore suitable for a benefit penalty.

But after finding employment as a Brentwood shop assistant where she is paid £6.20 an hour for a 31-hour week, in addition to £52 working tax credit every week, things are looking up. Importantly, she can afford to stay in the house she has lived in for 11 years

From the £602 a month she pays out in rent and council tax, she has £86.48 a week for food and bills.

Barbara said: "I was working in Witham hoping for full-time work but when they didn't want me back after five weeks, I was seriously contemplating committing suicide.

"I couldn't face having to move. So when I got this job just a few days later it was literally a lifesaver.

"Working in a shop is not really me, but is helping me with my confidence.

"I'm doing better than I was but I'm not living a life of luxury."

WAGGY-TAILED competitors and their owners turned out in their hundreds to a dog show with an important message.

More than 150 dogs of all different shapes and sizes, along with about 350 owners and friends, poured into Lake Meadows Park, Billericay, on Saturday for the first Bark in the Park dog show run by the Friends of Lake Meadows.

The theme of the event was to promote responsible dog ownership, with the Billericay Dog Training School display showing how much fun the dogs can have while learning to follow their owner's instructions. Stands provided canine goods and advice, including a free microchipping service.

Rosie Novis, a member of the Friends of Lake Meadows, said: "Being a responsible dog owner is of paramount importance.

"Not only does it ensure the safety and welfare of the dog, but also the safety of the public, allowing the dog to be walked in a public place where owners can be relied upon to keep their dogs under control."

The event was organised by the Friends of Lake Meadows, in partnership with Basildon Borough Council, Now We Are Here, and the Dog Play Barn Ltd.

Jane Bunting of the Dog Play Barn said: "We look forward to supporting Friends of Lake Meadows with Bark in the Park for many years to come, and can't wait to start planning the 2014 event, from a dog's perspective of course."

Jonny Garlick, chairman of the Friends of Lake Meadows, said: "For our first dog show a great day was had by all, particularly the dogs.

"We can't wait to organise Bark in the Park 2014, for all our four and two-legged friends."

The judges, Basildon borough councillor Kevin Blake and Julie Morgan from Billericay Dog Training School, had a busy schedule to complete, with eight competition classes including the most handsome dog and prettiest bitch, best rescue dog, golden oldie, best trick, waggiest tail, dog that looks most like its owner and judges' favourite.

A MECHANIC firm has been ordered to pay thousands for a botched job that put a driver at a "very high risk of injury".

Car Conversions attempted to convert a Mercedes from right-hand to left-hand drive ahead of the owner's move to Spain but instead wrecked the car.

The Romford-based business was ordered to pay £1,155 in prosecution costs and £5,000 compensation after an investigation by Havering Council into Clifford Appiah, 49, of Bryant Row, Cummings Hall Lane, Noak Hill, Romford.

He was rapped by the magistrate on September 6 for causing a "very high risk of injury" in what was described as an "appalling case".

Among the £11,700 worth of damage effectively writing the car off was a misalignment of the steering wheel and steering column, and the driver's foot became trapped under the realigned dashboard.

A botched modification of the car's internal wiring created a serious fire risk.

The reconfiguration of the brake and fuel lines created the potential for a brake failure and fuel leak.

The car's owner had paid Appiah £2,950 before work began at the Noak Hill premises.

He was told the vehicle was ready on January 7, 2012, nine months after initial contact.

Appiah was given an 18-month conditional discharge and prosecuted for failing to use professional diligence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.

Cabinet member for public protection Councillor Lesley Kelly said: "We deplore anyone who thinks it's acceptable to cut corners and take shorts cuts in a bid to make a quick profit.

"We hope that this case drives the message home. We do not tolerate those who don't play by the rules."

HIGH-FLYING students were rewarded at a school ceremony with prizes given out for progress, achievement and contribution to the community.

Shenfield High School's awards evening took place on Thursday, September 12 to honour and celebrate the achievements of their students.

As well as progress and achievement awards, special awards were given for outstanding GCSE and A-level results as well as service to the school community.

Jake Robinson received the award for outstanding GCSE achievement after he got 12 A* and A grades.

Sarah Gibson won the outstanding achievement at A-level award and Jade Cook won the Golden Spurs award for Service. The Golden Spurs Award was awarded for the first time last year on the school's 50th anniversary.

Some of the school's musicians provided interludes, with Luke Masson singing Tears In Heaven with guitar accompaniment. The Advanced Singers sung Fields of Gold and Cameron Southcott performed a violin solo.

The guest speaker, David Constantine MBE, who is the co-founder of Motivation and a former student of Shenfield High School, spoke alongside the head boy and head girl following their vote of thanks.

Some years after a life-changing diving accident in 1982, Mr Constantine was given a task as part of his studies at the Royal College of Arts. Teaming up with a fellow student he designed a wheelchair that was robust, adaptable and award-winning.

Mr Contantine and his colleague took their Frye Memorial Award prize money and, having teamed up with his former colleague Richard Frost, travelled to Bangladesh to share their wheelchair design with a disability organisation there. In 1991, they established Motivation and 22 years later he is still the driving force behind the company.

Mr Contantine is currently a contender for the Guardian International Development Achievement Award.

Head teacher Carole Herman said on the evening: "We are delighted that David is joining us this evening.

"His story is inspirational as it focuses on overcoming adversity and making a huge difference to the lives of others. Our students too are recognised for their achievement, their progress and the special contributions they have made.

"Some continue their journey through our school. For others, this will be their last appearance before going on to university, college, training, employment and independent lives. What they all have in common is hard work."

HAPPY shoppers spilled out onto the road and enjoyed live music and food to celebrate the pedestrianisation of Crown Street.

The street party, held last Thursday saw many enjoying the new traffic-free space with bread and cakes by McCarthy's and hot food from the Crown Street Cafe, as well as a candy cart.

Visitors enjoyed music from resident DJ Darren Butler and a performance by Colchester-based band Funky Voices.

Adding to the celebrations was the opening of a new shop and cutting the ribbon was deputy mayor of Brentwood, Mark Reed.

Kiss My Angel Face has been opened by 34-year-old Victoria Fuller. The mother of four will be selling clothes for children, from babies to 12-year-olds.

She opened her boutique for the first time during the street party and the garments were attracting a lot of attention.

Victoria said: "I think the pedestrianisation of the road will work well – it was dangerous before.

"Hopefully it will encourage more mums to come down here."

Her daughter Paige, 12, was dressed as Minnie Mouse for the event, and there was face painting.

Speaking of the street party, Lin Heath, owner of French Quarter, said: "It's lovely – this is what we can do more of now the street is closed to traffic and we can bring the community together.

"The road got even more dangerous with all the TOWIE shops. People from out of town would drive down Crown Street and with no pavements it was dangerous – it looked like it was pedestrianised but it wasn't.

"We had to do something about it – it was an ongoing battle. We want people to keep using our shops and keep trade in the town and this will help."

Mike Le-Surf, Labour group leader, added: "This is brilliant. After so many years it is lovely to see the road closed to traffic. It is now a safe environment and it's nice to see tables and chairs out there."

Brentwood resident Sam Bradley, from Warley, was also pleased to see the changes to the road.

The 31-year-old said: "You would step out of the shops and be so close to the cars."

Her friend, Kerry Pettitt, 31, from Hutton, added: "I love the shops down here like French Quarter – Crown Street is special."

BRENTWOOD Rugby Club opened it doors to welcome all new minis section members this weekend at King George V Playing Fields.

With more than 200 minis players attending and then several youth matches to follow, the club had an extremely vibrant start to the season.

The club utilised the skills of Andy Cappaert, U14s coach and owner of the Try Fitness Academy to induct the new members and their parents into the sport of rugby.

Carmel Jane, Brentwood's volunteers coordinator said: "Andy Cappaert is great with the kids and focused on ensuring that all the age groups worked together and helped each other."

The open day was a huge success, helped along by the good weather. To celebrate the start of the season, the club put on a hog roast and several bouncy castles to encourage families to stay and enjoy the atmosphere of the community-minded club.

Richard King, now entering his second term as club chairman, declared it a great success. He said: "To see so many children and youth players participating in such a fantastic sport that teaches discipline and fair play is just tremendous.

"Brentwood membership numbers are expected to rise again this year and the club is determined to develop its players at all levels."

The rugby club hav begun a programme of encouraging the youth players to assist the minis section on Sunday mornings.

King said: 'To think that many of the youth players are now actively involved in assisting the younger players to develop their skills is something we are very proud of. Our minis players thrive on having the older players involved in their training sessions."

The minis welcome children from four to 11 years old who have started at school and train on Sunday at King George's from 10.30am. For more information, visit brentwoodrugbyclub.co.uk.

BRENTWOOD Rugby Club opened it doors to welcome all new minis section members this weekend at King George V Playing Fields.

With more than 200 minis players attending and then several youth matches to follow, the club had an extremely vibrant start to the season.

The club utilised the skills of Andy Cappaert, U14s coach and owner of the Try Fitness Academy to induct the new members and their parents into the sport of rugby.

Carmel Jane, Brentwood's volunteers coordinator said: "Andy Cappaert is great with the kids and focused on ensuring that all the age groups worked together and helped each other."

The open day was a huge success, helped along by the good weather. To celebrate the start of the season, the club put on a hog roast and several bouncy castles to encourage families to stay and enjoy the atmosphere of the community-minded club.

Richard King, now entering his second term as club chairman, declared it a great success. He said: "To see so many children and youth players participating in such a fantastic sport that teaches discipline and fair play is just tremendous.

"Brentwood membership numbers are expected to rise again this year and the club is determined to develop its players at all levels."

The rugby club hav begun a programme of encouraging the youth players to assist the minis section on Sunday mornings.

King said: 'To think that many of the youth players are now actively involved in assisting the younger players to develop their skills is something we are very proud of. Our minis players thrive on having the older players involved in their training sessions."

The minis welcome children from four to 11 years old who have started at school and train on Sunday at King George's from 10.30am. For more information, visit brentwoodrugbyclub.co.uk.

A PENSIONER watched in horror as her beloved pet was mauled to death by another dog in Chelmsford, an incident that also left her in hospital for five days.

When 70-year-old Sandra Lester saw the dog running towards her from nearby Murchison Close, she picked up her Yorkshire terrier Talulah to keep her safe.

But the unleashed dog, believed to be part mastiff, knocked her to the ground, latched on to Mrs Lester's pet and shook the terrier until it lay dead on the road. It also bit her so badly she needed 45 stitches to her hands.

"I keep having flashbacks of the thud of the dog hitting me from behind, the feel as it bit down into my fingers and the sound of the crunch as it put its jaws around my dog. The sound of her scream will live with me until the day I die," said Mrs Lester, who is now back home after spending five days at Broomfield Hospital.

"We need to change the laws on people who keep these dangerous dogs otherwise what value are we placing on human life? That dog is still alive and being kept in a kennel until its owner gives permission for it to be put down, whilst my little dog isn't here any more."

Mrs Lester had been walking her pet alone at 9.30am on Wednesday, September 18, a rarity as she and her friends usually keep to groups.

As she left the old playing field at the back of St Peter's College she noticed two women shouting as they tried to control a large dog.

The grandmother, who immediately picked up Talulah fearing for her safety, said: "The dog hit me from behind like a brick wall and I went down trying to hold my little baby dog out the way.

"I heard its jaws crunch her and then I heard her scream before it shook her, and then threw her down on the ground. "My hands were pouring with blood and I knew if I didn't get help soon I could lose a finger.

"But the two women who had been with the dog just shouted abuse at me; they didn't come to help until the dog had completely calmed down."

Neighbours ran out to help the injured woman who needed stitches, suffered a fractured thumb where a tooth had ground through the bone and may now face surgery if there is long-term nerve damage.

Mrs Lester's family now plan to move in with her at her Pines Road home, but she remains fearful of further attacks.

"I was told by staff at Broomfield that they see up to five children each month with serious injuries as a result of dog attacks.

"The rules have to change, that dog has tasted human blood and it should be put down immediately," added the former nurse.

"I don't care if I have to go to Downing Street with a placard by myself, I will not let this lie. I want to show my grandchildren, who don't understand what happened, that this can't go on."

A police spokesman said: "Inquiries are continuing. The dog was seized and remains in kennels pending the outcome of our investigation.

"If there are any witnesses with further information they should contact Chelmsford police station or call 101."

POLICE and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston has defended plans to spend around £230,000 on five new employees in his office at a time when Essex Police has to make savings of £48 million.

The new roles that are currently open to applications will add to the number of officials scrutinising police budgets and improving accountability.

Last Thursday Mr Alston announced he was looking to employ an assistant director for performance and scrutiny earning up to £58,416, an assistant director for commissioning on £52,887, an assistant director for public engagement getting £51,630, a financial scrutiny officer on £38,862 and a media and engagement officer on £25,449.

These additional posts come at a time when the Essex Police Marine Unit, which costs £500,000 to patrol 400 miles of coastline, is in danger of being scrapped after severe budget cuts.

This is set against a backdrop of national cuts to both officers and civilian staff, as forces are expected to lose up to 14 per cent of frontline personnel by 2015.

Essex Police have had their budget from central government cut by £48 million over the next three years, meaning they need to make savings of 3.5 per cent over the next two years.

Mr Alston says his office will operate at 20 per cent of the old Police Authority which cost the taxpayer £1.44 milion a year – a PCC budget of £1.15 million.

He told the Chronicle: "I've had some great meetings with the public, but we need to reach more people and make sure that the public opinion is heard more clearly as that is at the heart of what we're about.

"We've taken on more responsibility for commissioning and with this wider scope for holding the police to account, that's why we're looking to take on further professionals to work within the team. Some staff members will be moving on so not all the roles are completely new."

This is not the first time Nick Alston has had to defend his human resources decisions. He hired a deputy in Lindsey Whitehouse, earning £55,000, and Susannah Hancock as an executive director on £80,000, in June.

He earns £80,000 a year and in May employed Stephen Kavanagh as chief constable on a total salary of £192,163 – nearly £50,000 more than the Prime Minister's wage.

Mr Alston added: "Our staff costs will be down from 2009/10 and will be lower than last full financial year.

"We are quite different from the old police authority that was very expensive as they all had allowances and expenses so we've reduced costs and have spent less on a chief executive.

Jonathan Isaby, political director of spending watchdog the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Police and Crime Commissioners are there to keep a watchful eye on police spending, not to build their own cosy empires.

"Taxpayers elected their PCCs precisely because they wanted to see someone crack down on wasteful spending and unnecessary bureaucracy in the police."

JUST nine months after vowing he would never enter X Factor, "cheeky" singer Sam Callahan has sailed through to the ITV show's boot camp stage.

The 19-year-old, from Great Totham, won over the judges – apart from Take That's Gary Barlow – at the Cardiff audition aired on Saturday.

He then scooped a boot camp place after performing Ed Sheeran's You Need Me at Sunday's live Wembley round in front of 4,000 people, an act which saw him gyrating his hips on stage.

"I love your swagger, your image, your attitude, and girls love you," said pop mogul Louis Walsh. "I think we've found a little pop star."

Yet the former Heathcote School pupil, who in January told the Chronicle he'd rather take the "harder route" to fame, was soon defending himself in the national media. Sam previously penned letters to schools asking if he could perform to show children the X Factor platform is not essential to achieve success, and has recently released his own single.

Sam, who used to pull pints at the OAKhouse in Maldon, said: "There comes a point where you realise it's getting harder, you run out of money and you need that platform that the X Factor gives you."

Sam, who attended the William de Ferrers School, left after bullies made his life a misery. He beat 900 budding stars to a top scholarship at the Sylvia Young Theatre School.

There he made friends with the District 3 boys from last year's X Factor and Nathan Sykes from chart-topping band The Wanted, who he toured with last year.

He joined a pop band headed by former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell but left in May to pursue his solo career, having also been managed by pop-band mogul John McLaughlin, who formed McFly.

Earlier this year he carried out a host of stunts in the run-up to releasing single Crazy, raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust in the process.

Sam said performing his fast-paced rendition of James Blunt's You're Beautiful for Saturday's audition was "really scary".

Yet Louis Walsh said: "I think you are young and cheeky and girls are going to like you."

A sceptical Barlow added: "I am not as excited as Louis and Sharon. I didn't feel anything special."

Boot camp, where contestants sing alongside other hopefuls on stage, is at 8.20pm on Saturday.

A MOTHER has told how her children cannot bear the thought of coming home from school, knowing a driver mowed down their family puppy before speeding away.

The family were left "devastated" after vets confirmed six-month-old Yorkshire Terrier Dolly could not recover from her injuries after being run down in Alexander Lane in Shenfield at around 3pm on Friday.

Witnesses say the driver of the silver 4x4 Volvo involved in the incident drove away from the scene without a second thought for the family pet.

The dog was usually locked into the back of the house but managed to run into the road following a mix-up between owner Shae Dobinson, 26, and her brother-in-law who was visiting.

The mother of three was prepared to meet expensive surgery costs to save Dolly.

"As soon as I heard the shout I turned around casually as you do. I looked around and I saw it," said Ms Dobinson who was on her way to pick up her two boys, Tommy, seven, and Teddy, six, with her daughter Megan, three.

"The dog ran around into the car, hit the bumper and twisted around, then stayed still on the floor.

"I had her in my arms waiting for her to die. My neighbour kindly asked if we wanted to take her to the vet's. People from across the road heard it, given that my brother-in-law was shouting at the car. They (the driver) must've felt it."

Dolly had been with the family for only two months after being adopted from a London-based family friend who wanted the puppy to enjoy the family's large garden.

"She was a big part of the family which is why we're appealing for help to prosecute the people who wouldn't even stop to help take her to the vet's," added Ms Dobinson.

"My little boys are refusing to come home from school with me because they don't want to come back and not see the dog there.

"They were just hoping the dog was going to get better.

"We were telling them she'll be all right and they were waiting for her to get better and get home.

Brother-in-law Francis Wright, 34, urged the driver of the car involved to "find it in your conscience" to take responsibility.

He said: "She was a cracking little dog. She used to play football with me and my two nephews and my son.

"The driver made no attempt to stop whatsoever.

"Imagine if it was a child, which it could quite easily have been. They could have pulled into someone's drive or gone into the police station afterwards but they didn't."

Anyone with any information should contact Essex Police on 101.

The caiman was found cooped up in an undersized tank in the homeowner's bedroom off Waterhouse Lane during a joint police investigation with the city council and the RSPCA.

The exotic reptile was seized by officials for re-homing after it emerged the owners did not have the proper documentation, issued under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, to keep it.

"It was in a four-foot tank with nothing more than a cat litter tray which stank when I opened it up," said Ian Newby, of the Dangerous Wild Animal Rescue Facility (DWARF) in Little Wakering.

"There was a bulb for heating which had no guard and so it could have burnt itself, and it had been kept in dirty water straight from the tap.

"This kind of thing isn't uncommon, however.

"In the last ten years I've probably rescued 20 of these in Essex kept in front rooms or fish tanks.

"I have been running DWARF for more than 20 years so handling it was no problem for me, but if you're inexperienced it could take off fingers, or even a hand."

Caimans are normally found in South America and are from the same group of reptiles as crocodiles and alligators.

The one seized is believed to be a spectacled caiman. Males can grow to more than six foot in length, with the females reaching 4.5ft.

PC Andy Long, Essex Police Wildlife Crime Officer, said: "When we seized the animal it was fortunately still in reasonable health but it was being kept in a tank that was too small and was unable to submerge properly so I have no doubt that its health would have suffered if its current living conditions had continued.

"Animals like this need a high level of expert care, which is why a licence for their ownership is needed.

"If this animal had escaped into a public place then it would be more than capable of causing harm to members of the public."

The caiman has now been transported to the DWARF facility, where it can enjoy a 16ft enclosure while it waits to be re-homed.

If anyone believes they have information about exotic animals that are being kept either inappropriately or without the required licence, they can contact PC Long by calling 101.

AN ABANDONED floor in a central Chelmsford office building will be the scene of an alternative comedy play next month when the city's first pop-up theatre launches.

The Secret Sixth Floor Theatre will take over the sixth floor of Threadneedle House, in Market Road, for its production which will show the amusing side of protecting shoppers through the eyes of security guards who work at the fictional Still Waters shopping centre.

The play, Beneath Still Waters, is the work of 26-year-old playwright, director and PCSO Kat Hempstead, who lives close to the Westlands Estate.

The 90-minute performance will show the audience not only the more dangerous people that police and security guards have to contend with on a day-to-day basis, but also the lighter sides of life – all inspired by Mrs Hempstead's time volunteering with Essex Police.

She said: "There's a really nasty, violent guy in the play – he is the epitome of some of the guys who I have met."

However, Mrs Hempstead, who has directed local performances of Blackadder III and Blackadder Goes Forth for the Chelmsford Theatre Workshop, added: "There was a pigeon that was hit by a car and I took it back to the office to help it.

"It died in the office and my sergeant went nuts – they ended up throwing it away in a bin."

This tale and a prop of a pigeon, from the amateur version of the Blackadder episode involving a bird called Speckled Jim, will make an appearance in the show.

The final version of Beneath Still Waters, which is billed as containing "colourful language and bright uniforms" and has a cast of just seven people from around the city, is the culmination of around four years' work.

It is the bringing together of three other shorter plays that were shown to a select few at the Old Court Theatre in Springfield Road through the Chelmsford Theatre Workshop.

The setting for the play and secret theatre – an office – was all part of the plan.

"The whole idea is making something out of nothing," said producer Danny Segeth.

"We are going to make it a lovely place to be in – we want to make it feel like people are sitting in an office working."

Swivel chairs will allow the audience to see all of the action, while a bizarre telescope will allow people to watch the cathedral clock and cityscape out of the window.

There will also be an area with recorded music that people will be able to relax in and two rather off-the-wall bars – a "friendly" one with people serving drinks, and an "unfriendly" one with mannequins.

"It's all part of the design – when you're front of house, you won't be bored," said 28-year-old Mr Segeth.

The producer, who also doubles up as an actor in the play, believes that the fun and off-the-wall nature will help attract people to the theatre who are not the stereotypical crowd.

"The challenge is to get it out to people who are not normally involved with the theatre," he said.

"As far as I'm aware, as a stand-alone pop-up theatre venue, this is the first – we're really excited and coming apart at the seams waiting for this to happen."

The performances at the Secret Sixth Floor Theatre are on Friday, October 4 and Saturday, October 5 at 7.45pm.

Tickets are £5 and can be booked in advance from http://madapplecollective.word press.com or can be bought on the door.

ED RENDELL was ecstatic after claiming his first British Superbikes win at Assen.

The Chelmsford star made his first appearance at the Dutch track, and despite suffering an engine problem in Sunday's warm-up, he bounced back to take the win.

He had qualified second in his 125 class for the race in the Netherlands, but then had to go into the race with an untested engine after his technical problems.

However, the new engine proved to be more than up to the task and he held on to that second place, meaning he was in pole position to take advantage when leader Andy Reid was black-flagged on the penultimate lap.

Rendell said: "What a weekend.

"It's my first ever race win in BSB and what a team effort, no one saw that three hours before the race.

"We had a crank fail in morning warm-up and the team did a fantastic job to get my bike ready for the race. I couldn't be happier. Roll on Silverstone."

Rendell has fought back from serious injury to take his place on the grid this season, and his toughest challenge has been to get sponsorship to help him compete.

Last week he took to Twitter in a bid to receive donations of £10 to help him with tyres, and he is doing it again ahead of the next round, which is at Silverstone next weekend.

He added: "Two years ago I broke my pelvis, I didn't think I would walk let alone race again.

"This race win is also a credit to the medical staff that have mended my falls.

"My Twitter fans kindly donated towards my race winning tyres this weekend; every round is a financial struggle for me and I hope to replicate the same support for the next two rounds."

The win moves Rendell up to third in the Motostar Championship with two rounds – at Silverstone and then at Brands Hatch on October 19-20 – remaining.

Looking ahead to 2014, Rendell is desperately seeking business sponsorship to support his on-track success.

If you can help, please contact him via his website www.edrendell12.com, on Twitter – @edrendell12 – or by calling 07768 619700.

CHELMSFORD duo Ian Stannard and Alex Dowsett enjoyed a successful week in the Tour of Britain.

Both Stannard (Sky Procycling) and Dowsett (Movistar) were in the thick of the action as the Tour came to a close on the streets of London, helping their respective teams pick up the major race honours.

Following his fifth place in the time trial Great Baddow's Dowsett was fifth overall after three stages. But selflessly put his own aims behind him and instead concentrated on helping his team-mate Angel Madrazo in his quest for the King of the Mountains jersey.

In fact, so successful was the diminutive Spaniard that, come the 88km city centre race around Whitehall that closed the race – a stage won by the Manx Missile Mark Cavendish – Dowsett was also able to lead Madrazo to win the mid-stage Sprints competition as well.

His unselfishness meant he came in 65th overall.

Chelmsford-born Stannard knew that his role in his home Tour would be to help eventual race winner Sir Bradley Wiggins chase overall honours but that didn't stop him from putting in a storming ride in the third stage time trial that only saw him beaten – by just 36 seconds – by Wiggins who won time trial Olympic gold at last year's London Games.

The whole Tour featured appalling weather that almost veered towards epic proportions in the early stages and huge roadside crowds during every stage.

Despite being on 'Wiggins duty', the 26-year-old was prominent throughout the race, shepherding his team leader through the crowds but also managing to finish seventh to enhance his growing status in the World peloton.

"I've got good form right now but to be honest I think I've been this strong all year," Stannard added. "But whilst in the past I've ridden completely for others such as Froomey [Chris Froome] at the Tour de France, in the Tour of Britain I've also been able to show what I can do as well."

DEAN HOLDSWORTH told his Chelmsford City players they need to deal with the pressure better after slumping to defeat at Dorchester.

Having won 2-0 at big-spending Ebbsfleet four days earlier, the Clarets headed to Dorset hoping for a third win of the season.

But their showing at the Avenue Stadium was almost as disappointing as their previous effort had been impressive.

The Magpies were without a win until Saturday, and Holdsworth was disappointed that it was his team who were on the receiving end.

"I cannot work out how that scoreline is like that," he said. "We've had so much play, so much possession and so many chances.

"Yes, the keeper's made a couple of good saves, but the quality in front of goal for me is so disappointing.

"We've still done the basics poorly for the goal we've conceded but we've had enough chances to win this game.

"We've created so many chances and we've not taken them."

Charlie Henry was twice denied by Alan Walker-Harris in the home goal before Dan Way gave the Magpies a 14th-minute lead.

Ben Watson was the architect, and his ball eventually fell to Way, who fired home inside the post.

Walker-Harris made the best of his saves early in the second half when he pushed Tom Derry's shot around the post.

And although the Clarets pushed forward, two efforts from substitute Sam Long – one deflected over and one just wide – were the closest they came to a leveller.

And the points were sealed in stoppage time when Nick Crittenden blasted home the second,

Before the game, it had been suggested that the home side were lacking in belief, but by the break that seemed to have changed.

"The goal gives them that belief and gives them confidence," Holdsworth added. "But it also creates pressure on our players who have got to handle that pressure in front of goal.

"That's what they are there for."

Dorchester lined up with two big men at centre-half and one of them – Aaron Pugh – was named man of the match after a dominant display which kept Rob Edmans out of the game.

And Holdsworth added: "When I see their number six getting man of the match, it tells me a bit about some of the performances.

"We're trying to ask players to do different things and they're still kicking it on his head, which is frustrating.

"If you're not going to learn, then you're going to learn the hard way. But taking all that away, we've created so many chances today, the game should have been dead and buried.

"They've been told a few home truths, some of them, because the standard we need is consistency and high consistency.

"If they think they can do it against Ebbsfleet on a Tuesday night and then turn up on a Saturday and not do it, then I'm disappointed with that."

The Clarets lost Tom Davis to a hamstring injury before the break, but were able to name Josh Warren on the bench after his loan arrival from Portsmouth.

And Holdsworth added: "Josh brings defensive cover or an option. They rate him, they want to get him some game time and involved in a first-team squad.

"I thank Portsmouth for doing it, it's not costing us any money, and hopefully we can get some opportunity for him."

The Clarets now head to Biggleswade Town in the FA Cup on Saturday and their manager is hoping for a response.

"We're going to work really hard now to get a performance," he added. "It would be lovely to have a good run.

"I'd be delighted but maybe after the criticism I've given them they'll stand up and be counted.

"What we had at Ebbsfleet was what we're looking for, they turned up, and I don't want to wait for that again.

ALAN DEVONSHIRE was delighted after his side produced a superb all-round team performance to beat last season's play-off finalists Wrexham.

Two own goals – either side of Dean Wells' effort – saw the Iron win on the road for the third time this season.

And Devonshire believes there is more to come from his side, who are now just a point outside the play-off places.

"It was a fantastic all-round team performance with every player working for each other and a fully deserved the win," Devonshire said.

"It's big pressure and hard on the players who are part-time and have to come up on such a long journey in midweek and play against a full-time side.

"But they showed great character and resilience, individually and as a team, to come and do the business and again in front of a big home crowd.

"I still say there's more to come from this team."

The win, which moves the Iron up to ninth place in the league, was hard fought and despite giving away a two-goal lead early on, allowing the home side to draw level, they came back strongly in the second half.

"I know two of our goals were down to own goals but it was because we forced their players into making mistakes," said Devonshire. "I'm really pleased though with the side's performance and the commitment and work rate of all the players and I believe we can get even better.

"It's another three points but we move on and I will be looking to keep the winning habit when we entertain Alfreton this Saturday."

Starting with the same line-up that began Saturday's 1-0 home win over Southport, the Iron had the best possible start when they took the lead after only three minutes with an own goal from Mark Carrington who couldn't stop Ryan Peters' effort from going into the net.

Fit-again Dean Wells made it 2-0 on 21 minutes when his left-foot shot beat home keeper Joslain Maeybi and more goals looked likely as they dominated the game with skipper Kenny Davis influential in midfield.

But the home side pulled a goal back on 29 minutes due to sloppy defending which allowed John Hunt to fire the ball home after being set up by the experienced Brett Ormerod.

Jay Hayes netted an equaliser on 34 minutes as the Iron seemed to take their foot off the accelerator giving the home side fresh incentive to put pressure on their defence.

The second half again saw the home side pushing hard for a third goal but tremendous defending by the Iron rearguard kept them at bay, while on the counter-attack they always looked the more likely to score.

What turned out to be the winning goal came on 70 minutes.

From a Davis corner, home defender Steve Tomassen could only put the ball into the back of his own net as he desperately tried to clear the ball away.

Although the home side pressed late on for another equaliser the Iron were much the stronger side and with some excellent defending kept their advantage to record another impressive away win.

"We know it's not easy to come to these kind of places, particularly when it involves such a long journey in midweek, but the players stuck to their tasks, worked hard and were rightfully rewarded with all three points," added Devonshire.