A POPULAR tourist attraction has had its future secured after new tenants were found.

Family favourite Marsh Farm, in South Woodham Ferrers, had faced closure after finding adequate investment hard to come by.

But now Basildon-based entertainment specialists Partyman Company Ltd have signed a 25-year commercial lease for the farm.

The company was chosen following a 'robust' selection process after the site was advertised in September last year.

James Sinclair, the chief executive of Partyman, has already been managing the site for a year and has spoken of his excitement at taking over the lease.

He said: "I was delighted to receive the confirmation about the tenancy agreement. Marsh Farm is a great site and has been a key family attraction in Essex for many years, and I am committed to ensuring that the farm continues to entertain and educate visitors for years to come.

"I've even decided to live on the farm myself as I wanted to be there throughout the development. I'm really passionate about it and I can't wait to get started."

The 27-year old, who has grown the firm since its beginning when he was 15, is determined to turn around the attraction into a profit-making venture. He is hoping to introduce rare breeds and conservation and promises "more fun on the farm".

County councillor Jeremy Lucas, cabinet member for customer services, environment and culture, said: "We are pleased with the outcome that has been announced today and are looking forward to seeing changes and growth taking place at Marsh Farm under the tenancy of Partyman Company Ltd.

"The intention at all times has been to secure the future of Marsh Farm, the welfare of the staff, the wellbeing of the animals and the provision of a positive visitor experience."

The county council will no longer be directly involved with the running of the farm, although the surrounding country park will remain under their ownership and management, and remain fully accessible to all.

ESSEX could follow in the footsteps of Nottinghamshire and ban their players from playing in the Indian Premier League in future years.

The likes of Ravi Bopara, Ryan ten Doeschate and Owais Shah regularly miss the first part of the English domestic season due to their participation in the money-spinning Twenty20 competition.

And although that will again be the situation this season, head coach Paul Grayson says the Notts idea has been discussed by the club's committee and will be again in six months' time.

He said: "It's something we keep discussing on a regular basis about what we're going to do and eventually we might make a decision and say: 'enough's enough you either play for Essex or you play somewhere else'.

"Some counties are putting a stop to it and not letting their players go.

"We'll see [what we decide to do]. Notts were the first ones that said if their lads go to the IPL then they don't play for Notts, it's up to them what they decide to do."

Grayson said that the club was working with the England & Wales Cricket Board and the Professional Cricketers' Association to establish whether or not such a proposal would contravene any employment laws.

The other danger is that top players could well decide to leave for other counties willing to accept their demands.

"If they're under contract they can't do anything about it but if they're at the end of their contract they might go to another club that lets them go to the IPL, if that's what they want to do," added Grayson.

The current situation makes planning for the season ahead difficult but Grayson argues that it does at least provide a chance for younger players to stake their claim in the first team.

He said: "It can be a bit of a problem but it gives one or two of the younger lads a chance to go out and show what they can do; the Mickleburghs, the Westleys and Foakes can come in and the others will have to wait their turn before they come back in to the side. Just because they go to the IPL there's no guarantee they'll walk back in to the side.

"You've got to be loyal to players, it works both ways."

AN ENTERPRISING group of young politicians hope to enhance their work in the community after recently starting their own radio show.

Members of the Billericay Youth Town Council will be live on Phoenix 98FM on the first Monday of every month at 8am.

The group, aged between 12 and 17, will play their own choice of music and discuss their work on the council.

They will also make announcements of what's coming up in the area and welcome listeners to call in and offer ideas for charity events.

Youth council chairman Tayler Cronly-Dillon, 18, who attends Mayflower High School in Billericay, has been a member of the council for five years.

She said: "The radio show has been so much fun but we were all a bit nervous when we had the first show but it actually went really well.

"It was myself, the vice chairman James Turner and a couple of the new members, so it was a nice combination of old and new members.

"I really enjoy being on the council because I love helping people and it's a great way of bringing the community together."

Mr Turner, 17, said: "I thought the radio show would be really hard but it was fine in the end and the conversation just flowed.

"I've been a member of the council for four years and have always enjoyed it but being on the radio adds a new spark, we've just had our elections and it's brought in loads of interest."

The Town Council has facilitated an active Youth Town Council for many years. It comprises around 20 young people from local schools and the Billericay area.

Billericay Town Council chairman John Buchanan said: "The Youth Town Council does marvellous work for Billericay.

"Over the years they have initiated many projects including replacing the town's skateboard ramps in the skate park, introducing a multi-sport area and a Jubilee tea party for one of the elderly care homes.

"They've also organised Easter egg hunts for younger people in the community and are currently planning a 'Spring Bash'.

"The party will involve a band and DJ and will be raising funds for the Daisy Palmer Trust.

"This new venture onto radio is very exciting for the Youth Council and it will be a good platform for them to promote their work."

Jules Bottazzi, a director of Phoenix FM, said: "The kids put on a great radio show – many of them are natural entertainers.

"They choose the music and decide what they want to talk about. It's great for raising awareness and just lets people know about the brilliant work they do."

THREE anti-fur protesters were arrested this morning, eyewitnesses told the Gazette, after an altercation outside Bonnie and Clyde at Wilson's Corner.

Activists from Essex Animal Defenders have been seen protesting for the past four weeks and have been moving between Bonnie and Clyde, Virgo, on Brentwood High Street and Lucy's Boutique on Ongar Road. 

The protesters targeted The Only Way Is Essex star Lucy Mecklenburgh's Brentwood boutique last Tuesday – although Miss Mecklenburgh vehemently denies ever having sold real fur.

Marcia Hagon, one of the protesters, from Romford, said: "We are about raising awareness of the fur trade but we also demonstrate outside restaurants that sell unethical food like foiegras.

"We demonstrate against  the unethical treatment of animals. We just think it's unnecessary.

"All we are trying to achieve is to stop them selling these products. We just think it is wrong that they are making money out of the suffering of others."

A spokeswoman for Miss Mecklenburgh said this week: "She categorically does not and has never sold real fur and she does not condone the sale of it."

Virgo told the Gazette it did not sell real fur. Bonnie and Clyde could not be reached for comment.

Essex Animal Defenders, which has about 30 members, has been involved in a number of different campaigns, including protesting outside Cheale Meats, the Warley slaughterhouse where covert footage picked up two workers abusing pigs.

A WOMAN suffered a broken nose and a man sustained facial injuries after a fracas outside a Billericay nightspot.

The 27-year-old woman was taken to hospital after the incident, which took place outside The Ivory Rooms in Laindon Road at about 1.30am on Sunday, January 20.

The man needed treatment at the scene for his injuries.

A resident of Quilters Drive said: "There was a lot of commotion and the noise woke my husband and I up.

"We've put double glazing in since the bar got its late-night licence as there are often people shouting outside."

Police officers attended the scene and arrested five men.

Two men, aged 24 and 25, from Rainham, were arrested for affray.

A 23-year-old man and a 25-year-old man from Hornchurch were arrested for affray and assault.

Another man from Hornchurch, aged 23, was also arrested for affray.

All of them have been interviewed and released on bail until March 24, pending further inquiries.

PC Keith Corry said: "Our investigation is continuing and we are particularly keen to talk to anyone else who witnessed what happened.

"This occurred between 1.20am to 1.30am on the day in question and a lot of people would have been leaving the venue at that time."

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101.

A TALE of love against the odds and a yarn about a plot to unleash a deadly gas were the readers' favourites in the Gazette's short story competition.

Lynne English, 60, won the Senior Scribes category of the inaugural contest with her story entitled Together They Were Happy.

She was presented with her prize, a £50 book token, by Roland Kannor, the managing director of sponsor Brentwood Brewing Company, and Gazette news editor Chris Richards.

The presentation took place on Wednesday at Highwood Surgery, in Geary Drive, Brentwood, where Mrs English works as the practice manager.

Those who entered the Senior Scribes category of our competition, which launched in October, were tasked with writing a 250-word story that made mention of beer or ale.

Mrs English, a mother of three who lives in Taverners Green Close, Wickford, told the Gazette: "I couldn't believe it when I found out I had won. I was absolutely amazed.

"I think the competition is a lovely idea and I would definitely like to enter again."

Mr Kannor, 51, said: "I think the competition has been very good and I would love the brewery to be involved with this again in the future."

The winner of the Junior Jotters category, meanwhile, was 11-year-old Katrina Airey with her story entitled Nobody Dared.

She was presented with her prize, again a £50 book token, by Dan Hunt, of sponsor Calcott Hall Farm.

The presentation took place at the farm's premises in Ongar Road, Pilgrims Hatch.

Katrina, who lives in Common Road, Ingrave and goes to St Martin's School, said: "I am really pleased and surprised to have won the Junior Jotters competition and am grateful for all the people who have voted.

"I mostly got inspiration from many of the books I have read and put together a story by focusing on one theme and then adding detail and elaborating. I am really pleased with my voucher and have already bought one book called I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter, and hope to get the rest of the series soon."

Her mum Dee, 38, said: "She is over the moon and it has given her more confidence in her writing.

"I am very proud of her."

Mr Hunt, 32, the manager of Calcott Hall Farm's shop, said: "Katrina has a very vivid imagination and I think her story was a worthy winner."

He added: "Encouraging youngsters to write is a great thing for us to be involved in."

As well as the readers' winners, the Gazette's competition featured a judges' favourites section.

The winners were chosen by a panel of five judges, which included authors Anne Cassidy and Maggie Freeman and Gazette editor Neville Wilson.

As reported in the Gazette on December 26, Steve Pinkney, a dad of two from Rosemead Gardens, Hutton, won the Senior Scribes category with his story A Taste Of Old Shadow.

The winner of the Junior Jotters category, meanwhile, was Emily-Ann Briscoe, 14, of Lodge Villas, Woodford Green, with her story Dear Amelia.

A YOUNG pony had to put to sleep after it was dumped in a children's play area having suffered a terrible leg wound.

The underweight piebald cob, a colt thought to be around two years old, was abandoned in Cranfield Park, Wickford, after sustaining a serious injury in which the tendons and soft issue in his right rear leg had been severed.

The 12hh pony is believed to have been left in this state for up to two weeks before being ditched in the playground in Cranfield Park Road.

The animal is believed to have belonged to travellers and it is thought that he may have been injured after being tethered.

The cob was spotted by a dog walker, who immediately called the RSPCA.

An RSPCA inspector and animal control officers from Basildon Borough Council arrived at the park at 1pm on January 14.

After consultation with a vet, the decision was taken to put the horse to sleep on welfare grounds.

RSPCA inspector Susan Hammond, who responded to the call, said: "It was terrible, the lower part of his leg was almost flat on the ground and it looked awful.

"I thought the leg must be broken but it wasn't.

"The tendons had been severed and because the injury was left for so long, the wound had become infected as well.

"If his leg had been seen to earlier it could have been operated on and although he would have been lame, his life could have been saved.

"However, due to the extent of this neglect, the leg was beyond repair and a vet made the decision that he had to be put to sleep."

She added: "It is likely the horse belonged to travellers due to his type and the large amount of travellers' horses kept in the area."

It is believed the colt was taken to the park in a horsebox or other vehicle and then walked from the car park into the enclosed play area, a distance of approximately 100 yards.

The RSPCA subsequently contacted members of the local travelling community to try to find out who owned the pony, but no one came forward with any information.

Ms Hammond continued: "There was no way this horse got into the play area by himself.

"It's clear that someone put him there as they knew it was a public place and he would get attention.

"The vet has seen this sort of injury before and agreed that it looked like he had been tethered."

Ms Hammond added that while she had come across cases of horses being dumped before, this was the first time she had seen a such a severe leg injury.

Basildon Borough Council has responded to three reports of dead horses in the past year, and two ponies were abandoned in Northlands Park in March 2012.

If you have any information, call the RSPCA in confidence on 03001 234999.

DOG lovers and Blue Peter fans alike turned out in their droves to catch a glimpse of TV legend Peter Purves in Brentwood High Street.

The Crufts veteran and former Doctor Who star joined volunteers from Essex Dog Training Centre (EDTC) to promote classes that help children overcome their fear of dogs.

Since the Gazette ran a story about the 73-year-old backing an appeal for more dog owners to volunteer their pets to help at the classes, the response has been staggering.

Speaking after his trip to the Chapel Ruins, in the High Street,

EDTC founder Roy Dyer is delighted that seven more dogs have been put forward as helpers and five children are considering joining the class to conquer their canine concerns.

Mr Dyer, who also runs the Essex Dog Display Team from its base in Doddinghurst Road, said: "I'm so pleased.

"We were absolutely packed on Saturday, we were there for two hours and we had a massive number of people coming up to us.

"Lots of people got autographs and had their photos taken with Peter, which is good because he is recognised as a really big dog man.

"He spoke to people about dogs and about cynophobia, but a lot of people told us they had already seen the piece in the Gazette about it, which is great."

Cynophobia is defined as a morbid fear of dogs and through step by step familiarity with carefully selected dogs, the classes are designed to help children overcome their worries.

Mr Dyer added: "Most people will remember Peter for his years on TV in Doctor Who, Blue Peter and of course Crufts.

"When you talk about Peter Purves, you are talking about a TV legend."

A KEEN skier is hoping to make tracks in her bid for the title of Miss England 2013.

Hannah Stacey, from Hook End, is one of 14 girls competing in the latest heat qualifier for the popular competition that bids to make stars out of aspiring models.

Now the 18-year-old brunette is hoping she has got what it takes to receive enough votes to make the top three in her heat. If she gets through, her fate will be in the hands of a panel of judges, which includes last year's winner Charlotte Holmes.

They will decide if she has enough model potential to receive a place in the Miss England semi-finals, which will take place in June.

The public vote is now underway and Miss Stacey is relying on the support of Brentwood residents, before voting lines close tomorrow (Thursday).

Miss Stacey, a former student at St Martin's School, is currently working at Leonard Lodge Nursing Home in Hutton.

In the future, she wants to go to university to study nursing.

She spends a lot of her free time skiing with friends and family.

She said: "I really enjoyed my photo shoot at Fresh Academy recently and hope that my shot proves that I have all the makings not only to be a top model, but a future Miss England. I hope my local community will get behind me and help me fulfil my dream of competing in Miss England."

When asked what they are looking for, Miss England director, Angie Beasley said: "As a model it is important that you are photogenic, and that your beauty can be captured by the camera and translated into a picture.

"Not everyone is naturally photogenic, so this qualifier aims to find those girls who look great behind the camera as well as in front of one."

The heat four winner will not only receive a place in the Miss England semi-final, but will also receive a one-day beauty pageant training day with The Front Academy, an A4 print for her portfolio from the Fresh Academy and one spray tan a month for a year from Montana Tan worth £300.

To vote for Hannah text 'MISS FRESH405' to 64343. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network rate.

JUNIOR schoolchildren turned the tables on a Gazette reporter this week by bombarding him with questions about his career and what it's like to be a journalist.

Around 90 enthusiastic youngsters at Ingatestone and Fryerning Junior School gave this newspaper's news editor Chris Richards a grilling on Wednesday morning as part of a project on journalism.

Mr Richards had earlier given the children – aged between 9 and 11 – a brief talk about exactly how newspapers work and what skills you require to be a successful reporter.

Among the questions asked were: "What's the best story you've ever had? Have you ever been taken to court by someone who didn't like a story you have written? And are you proud to be a journalist?"

One plucky youngster even inquired how much he was paid, while another asked for the name of his horse (for the record, it is Steff).

Upper school leader Leigh Johnson said afterwards: "Chris kept them completely engaged and entertained.

"It was an inspirational activity for the children and it helped to reinforce everything that they have learned about journalism so far."

Teacher Elizabeth Frith added: "The children listened to Chris better than they have done to anybody else that has come in."

Pupil Annabel Denton, ten, said: "I enjoyed the talk.

"I learnt lots of things like how to become a journalist and what it is like to be a journalist."

George Mayhew, 10, said: "I think journalism is interesting and I would like to be a journalist one day."

Nancy Eagle, also 10, added: "I really enjoyed finding out what you have to do to be a journalist and one day I would really like to be a journalist too."

Mr Richards, 30, a journalist since June 2008, said: "I was very impressed with the questions that I was asked.

"The children are clearly a very bright bunch and they seemed to enjoy learning about what goes on behind the scenes of the Gazette."

He added: "Who knows, perhaps some of them will be future stars of journalism."

BRENTWOOD Borough Council is struggling to account for more than £750,000 in cash contributions – half of which was meant for people on low incomes to find a home.

A confidential council document, seen by the Gazette, sets out details of nine Section 106 payments from developers to mitigate the environmental and social impact of building projects, but which the authority said it could not account for.

Among them is a £350,000 contribution paid to the council by Brentwood-based Countryside Properties in November 2000, which should have helped provide affordable housing for people on low incomes in the borough.

Although the borough council is now claiming that the document drawn up by head of planning Jennifer Candler in May 2012 is incorrect and cannot be relied upon, it has failed to provide a detailed expenditure breakdown on how the Countryside contribution has been spent.

Neither has it confirmed whether the council has been able to account for all the money, amounting to £755,000, that it could not trace in May last year.

A council spokesman said a subsequent document has been compiled clarifying the earlier position, but those details have not been forthcoming either.

"The May 2012 document is part of an ongoing process," a council spokesman said, "and the information in it is incorrect."

The confidential report warned against pursuing the Section 106 cash in case developers ask for their contribution back if it had not been used in accordance with the planning agreement.

An estimated four council flats could have been built with the contribution that was paid in return for planning permission to develop the land at the corner of Hart Street and Kings Road.

The council housing waiting list last week was shown to have increased by 223 per cent between 2004 and 2011 compared to a 26 per cent national increase.

The other eight payments were for open spaces, including in St James Road, where residents have been asking for a play area for children.

The report states: "Brentwood Borough Council has received £2,411,963 to date (May 15, 2012).

"However, there are not comprehensive transaction receipts for all the money received.

"Receipts and transactions account for £1,001,508 of the £2,441,963 owed to Brentwood Borough Council.

"Through an assessment of each agreement and development with the relevant officers it is estimated that implementation of works equates to a further £630,400.

"A residual of £755,325 currently cannot be accounted for and it is not possible to confirm whether payment has been received.

"The risk of pursuing payment is that if a contribution has been made and not spent in accordance with the legal tests it may need to be repaid."

The borough finance officer concluded that "the report highlights a number of concerns regarding lack of proper records and financial control."

The poor quality of Brentwood Borough Council's accounting system has already drawn criticism from the national auditors – it was unable to sign off its statement of accounts for 2010/11 and had to pay a £77,450 fee.

A spokesman added: "The level of contributions received is £868,000, of which £808,000 is for affordable housing provision.

"In addition, the council has secured financial contributions of £347,322 for education and highway works in the borough which is managed through Essex County Council.

"Further contributions of £259,481 to Brentwood Borough Council and £146,981 for education and highways have been agreed and payment will be made at the appropriate stage for each individual scheme.

"Contributions of approximately £150,000 to Brentwood Borough Council and £165,342 for education and highways are currently being progressed through the planning/legal process."

Independent councillor Russell Quirk said: "'In 2010 the council couldn't get its accounts signed off due to inaccuracies and concerns by the auditor.

"The haemorrhaging of our money and the seeming unaccountability of the hierarchy is astounding."

A FAMILY have ben left devastated after burglars snatched cherished heirlooms and possessions worth thousands of pounds from their Brentwood home.

Among items stolen in the raid at the home of the Millington family, in Conifer Drive, was a distinctive gold and sapphire engagement ring belonging to 22-year-old Lauren.

The nine-carat piece, which has three diamonds missing around the main blue jewel, was handed down by her grandmother Vera, who died in 2005, aged 71.

Miss Millington said that she had plans for the ring.

"I was looking to wear my grandmother's engagement ring when I get married one day as something blue, but obviously I cannot do that any more," she told the Gazette.

"These people are very low and must be extremely desperate to be able to walk into someone's house and not take a moment to think what they are doing.

"This is a terrible, terrible thing to do. I don't feel particularly safe in my own home any more."

It is believed the criminals broke through the conservatory door by snapping the lock before grabbing 53-year-old father Garry Millington's rucksack and heading upstairs.

They then ransacked the firefighter's bedroom and that of Miss Millington, taking a gold baby bracelet engraved with "Lauren" "5/10/90" and a gold axe pendant given to Garry by his father for his 21st birthday, as well as Vera's gold wedding ring.

The raiders also pilfered a silver Links of London charm bracelet worth £450, a Gucci bracelet worth £125, an early camcorder which contained videos of Miss Millington and her sister Lottie, 19, as children plus Mr Millington's prized Fender electric guitar.

Administrator Miss Millington, who also lost her Christmas present, a new iPad, described the scene after she returned to an empty house at around 9pm on January 20.

"I've got a little cat and she was quite frightened when I came in and that was very odd," she explained.

"I was looking around my room and thought 'this is not right', it was only when I went into my Dad's room that I realised that we had been robbed.

Miss Millington added: "I was mortified and really, really angry that I had been violated and someone had been in my house and taken my possessions.

"What really, really upsets me is that I have a collage of pictures of friends, family and my partner on my bedroom wall and it's very scary to think they have looked at my face in the pictures and still decided to steal."

Police are investigating.

Call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

ALEX Read will be in the 'right frame of mind' to play for Brentwood Town while he continues his trial with Dagenham & Redbridge, says manager Steve Witherspoon.

Despite a twisted ankle the prolific forward, who has netted 27 times this term, was due to play for The Blues last night (Tuesday) against league leaders Maldon & Tiptree.

"He's got a little knock but hopefully he'll come through the fitness test and he'll come out firing on all cylinders for us," said the manager.

"What we've said is that we're playing the top of the league team and we'd like him to play with us and as long as he passes a fitness test he will be playing, which is a bonus."

Witherspoon used to play for Maldon Town, the club's name before the merger with Tiptree United, and says he's looking forward to going back to the Wallace Binder Stadium.

"We've been quite successful down there," he said. "It suits our style. We get the ball down and pass and it's a lovely surface down there and we can pop it about."

Witherspoon scouted his former team on Saturday when they surprisingly threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Redbridge.

"We don't fear anyone in the league it's just the fixture backlog that could affect us in the end this season," said the boss.

Brentwood knocked Maldon out of this season's FA Cup on penalties after two tight fixtures and Witherspoon thinks his squad is now better equipped to cope with the leaders.

"We've got a good side," he said. "I think we can give anyone in the league a game ... if you have a look at the team that drew with them in the first cup game and then beat them on penalties in the second after extra time we now have a considerably better side and there are six or seven different players that took them on and we think we're a better side now. "

This week academy product Robbie Rees has joined Redbridge after struggling to break in to the first team.

"He a good little player," said Witherspoon. "I'm sorry to see him go but he obviously wanted first team football and he's going to get it there and he wasn't going to get a match regularly.

"He'll be a cracking player but we can't hold on to everyone."

On Saturday Town visit the league's third top scorers Soham Town Rangers, last month Brentwood beat them 6-3 at The Arena.

In preparation for the rigours of the week ahead the squad travelled to Colchester United to use their all-weather surface after Saturday's game at Witham Town was called off.

"We did need to get out on a proper pitch and stretch our legs. We won't be as sharp as Maldon, they've had games," he added.

The Memorial Rugby Day, Old Brentwoods, January 20, 2013.

Match Report by Old Brentwood member, Patrick Stroud.

A day that meant so much to those that had arranged it looked like being ruined by the weather. The snow that had fallen two day's before was being increased in the bucket load. However any doubts were firmly dispelled & approximately 70 rugby players, assembled mainly from the local area,  trudged out to fulfil their promise. 

The three teams, Old Brentwood's, Essex Bishop's & Highlife, lined up on the pitch for a minutes silence before the kick off to remember Daniel Hannerway& Julie Knapp who had sadly passed away last year. A rousing rendition of Jerusalem followed & then it was gum shields in & let the play begin.

The first game saw Old Brentwood's play the Essex Bishop's. Both Knapp brothers, Bob & Dave, propped for the Old Boy's with Ian & Neil Hannaway forming part of the home team back row. Despite the weather the handling was good with Alex Hughes & Jerry Shouksmith making good breaks in the Bishop's line only to be pegged back by stout defence. However good counter attacking play brought rewards for the Bishop's which resulted in two tries in quick succession mid way through the half. A try from Neil Tetner at the stroke of half time reduced the deficit. The hosts took the lead five minutes into the second half with tries from James Stroud & Frazer Blackburn both of whom were making welcome returns after several years of retirement. Victory was snatched from the Old Boy's with a try from the Bishop's & the game closed at 15 all.

The second game saw the Bishop's up against Highlife, a side put together by Jay French who was celebrating his 50th birthday. The encounter proved to be a dogged affair with both sides cancelling each other out with stout defence from all. The 'no kicking policy' employed by both sides made for a more physical game with support & guile being the best way to advance. Both Steve Everson for the Bishop's & John Janes for Highlife exploited weaknesses to good effect but with both teams nullifying the others attacks the 10 all final score line seemed a fair result.

With the snow falling even heavier & with frost bite setting in to both hands & feet the Old Boy's needed to beat Highlife in the last game to take the spoils. Having had a rest the host's had much of the early play but were unable to convert possession into points. Typical energy from  Rory Harnett got the rewand but with the last play of the half Highlife got a well timed interception & brought the scores level at the whistle.

With an injury to the referee Billy Mullen pulled on the yellow jursey & officiated the second half. Despite further dominance from the Old Boy's with James Holmes & Simon Peace going close the game line would not be breached & the final game ended like the previous two - drawn.

POLICE are investigating the assault of two men inside the Ivory Rooms.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Christmas Day inside the bar on Laindon Road, Billericay. A 19-year-old man from Basildon is currently on police bail until March 6, having been arrested on suspicion of assault

A 20-year-old man from Billericay received a broken nose while a 21-year-old man from Southend received a fractured cheek bone.

Police believe a woman may have witnessed the assault at around 12.50am. Officers would like her to get in touch.

Anyone with information should contact Dc Angela Tappin at Basildon CID on 101.

A prolific criminal from Romford has been jailed for more than five years after admitting to more than 200 burglaries.

Joseph Lewis, 22, of Lower Bedfords Road, was jailed for five years and four months at Southend Crown Court on January 24 after he was convicted of three burglaries and the theft of motor vehicle.

But Lewis also admitted to a further 217 burglary offences committed across north-east London and west Essex since 2005 and which were taken into consideration during his sentencing.

Officers arrested Lewis on April 13 2012 at Hogbar Farm Caravan Park at Lower Bedfords Road, in Harold Hill, after an intelligence-led operation involving officers from the North East Detections Team, Havering and the Territorial Support Group.

The NEDT is a special unit comprised of officers from the Met's five north-east boroughs and Essex Police.

Detective Sergeant Brett Hagen said: "Lewis is a prolific cross-border and cross-constabulary burglar.

"The unique nature of the North East Detections Team has allowed us to maximise our detections and adopt a corporate approach to dealing with this priority crime offender.

"I would like to praise PC Alex McGarrigle and Det Con Fin Foley who have completed over 20 Home Office Production Orders with Lewis to facilitate the taken-into-consideration process.

"His sentence reflects the gravity and scale of his offending and over 200 victims now have closure on their burglary crimes."

Detective Inspector Lee Barnard said: "Since its creation in May 2012, the NEDT has achieved nearly 900 priority crime detections by way of TIC.

"They have achieved detections for 17 Met boroughs and three County Forces. This is due to the hard work, dedication and professionalism of the entire team."