"FROM small acorns grow great oak trees" is the mantra of a rugby club in Pilgrims Hatch which is on the cusp of setting up its first youth section.

Old Brentwoods Rugby Football Club is on the up and is now seeking wannabe Wilkinsons and promising Pienaars.

Last year, the 43-year-old club's first team won promotion into the London leagues and next season they'll be setting up their fourth adult side.

On March 30, the club, which has around 200 members, will be opening its Ashwells Road ground to the public in a bid to attract youngsters aged seven and above into the fold.

Father-of-three Simon Peace is in charge of Project Acorn, an initiative aimed at having both boys and girls playing friendlies and festival matches for the club from September.

New figures from the Rugby Football Union have revealed that only three out of every 45 children that take up the sport from the age of seven continue playing into adulthood.

Mr Peace, a 45-year-old landscape gardener who has played full back for Old Brentwoods for the past 15 years, aims to keep people enjoying rugby at the club from the age of six to 46.

He said: "It's a wonderful team game and the social side is completely different to any other sport.

"It's one of those sports where you develop into a team and you cannot function unless everyone on the pitch is doing their job, so you really become a close group.

"Most importantly, I've just had the greatest fun with it over the years.

"I do, however, believe strongly in the core values of rugby – there are five of them, namely teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.

"These will be key to the youth section here as they will help all our players develop into responsible young adults."

Up to the U8 team (ages seven or eight), the game is non-contact and uses a tag system, from under nine onwards more physical aspects of the game like tackling and scrums are introduced.

Other differences are that children play on a smaller pitch with less players per team and up until U12 (aged 11 or 12) mixed-sex teams are allowed to play.

Mr Peace added: "Rugby is more than a sport, it is an opportunity.

"An opportunity to develop, not only as a player but as a person, to socialise, to travel, to meet and to feel confident about yourself, to be part of a team where everyone counts and makes a difference, rugby is a game where everyone in the team is integral to that team."

Old Brentwood has Criminal Records Bureau-checked officials and separate changing rooms for boys and girls.

The open day, which will give parents and children the opportunity to check out the club's facilities, chat with officials and join in fun activities, will run from 11am until 1.30pm.

For more information, call 01277 374 070 or email simonpeace@obrfc.org

A FATHER from Billericay says he was ordered to leave a council car park with his young son just minutes before parking charges would cease to apply.

Darren Park, of Perry Street, was with his three-year-old son Oliver and had parked in the Billericay High Street car park, behind Iceland, on February 9.

He arrived at 9.23am and went to pay for an hour of parking as the car park is free from 9.30am.

However, he was told by a parking warden that he must pay a flat fee of £7.50 to leave his car at this time.

By this point, it was just a few minutes to 9.30am, but Mr Park says that instead of allowing him and his son to stay, the warden told them they needed to get back into the car and leave.

Mr Park said: "I turned up at the car park and saw that there were parking wardens doing the rounds, which I thought was a bit odd as I thought parking was still free on a weekend.

"I took my son out of the car and walked over to the ticket machine. I could see that they had introduced a charge up to 9.30am on Saturday mornings.

"I tried to put 50p in to pay for an hour's worth of parking, which would be more than I needed, but it wasn't accepted.

"By which point one of the parking wardens marched up and told me I must pay the flat fee of £7.50 if I wished to park at this time.

"I was ordered to leave the car park and had to put my son back in his car seat, which takes a while, and drove out of the car park to return at 9.30am.

"I looked at my watch and by the time I left it was only another couple of minutes until half past."

Mr Park added: "I ended up parking on the High Street in the end as I found a space there instead, but was so amazed that this guy made me drive out of the car park with only a few minutes to go, especially as I had a young child with me.

"I'm not one to complain about this sort of thing but I'm still amazed that this guy made me drive away so close to 9.30am – it's just ridiculous.

"I was really shocked that they made me turn around and leave just to come back again a minute or two later.

"I was prepared to pay for an hour or so but they wouldn't let me."

The car park is owned by Basildon Borough Council and is free at weekends from 9.30am on Saturday until 8am on Monday.

Parking charges are also waived in this car park at Christmas.

The complimentary parking was under review at the start of the year but the borough council has decided to continue this service.

The charges up until 9.30am on Saturday morning were put in place to stop workers in the town leaving their cars parked all day while shops are trading.

Phil Turner, deputy leader of Basildon Council, said: "I find this disappointing because of the proximity to the free period.

"By the time he had parked and tried to get a ticket it would have practically been half past. I am sorry that this may have soured his opinion of Billericay, which is a shame.

"I offer my apologies and hope it doesn't stop him coming back. Hopefully we can go back on the policy and look at this – technically it was the right thing to do but it doesn't go with the spirit of the free parking which is there to allow people to enjoy the town centre."

ONE of the most senior female police officers in the county is retiring after a career spanning three decades.

Assistant Chief Constable Sue Harrison will leave Essex police at the end of March after 30 years with the force in which she has risen through the ranks to become one of only two females in a top position.

"I've had a fantastic career, met so many great people and had amazing experiences, I'm really sad about leaving actually," she told the Chronicle.

"I know though that even when I retire I'll still intervene in situations where I can help.

"I already do when I'm off-duty if there's a missing person or a violent incident, I can't help myself," the 49-year-old said.

Her urge to be a policewoman started when Sue was just three. After passing a police officer on foot patrol she had no doubt it was what she wanted to do. But the path to achieving her goal was strewn with unexpected challenges.

"I wasn't exactly the tallest girl and fell a little short of the 5'3" height restriction for joining up so I decided to visit my GP for help.

"I was advised to hang from a bar in the garage daily up until when I was measured to increase my height.

"I managed to get in although I had to lie down during the measurement," said Sue, who lives in Birch, near Colchester.

During her initial training in Basildon it became clear that the gender gap created further obstacles.

"At one point my senior officer said to me, 'I imagine next year you'll be married with children' but I just threw myself into everything and didn't let it worry me.

"Fortunately, I developed a knack for catching criminals and so it wasn't long before my male colleagues were asking me to accompany them," Sue added.

Thriving in the male-dominated environment she quickly received a series of promotions working as a firearms officer, operational Commander for the V Festival and head of the Professional Standards Department before her appointment as Assistant Chief Constable in 2008.

She said: "Balancing all this with having a family has been tricky and it hasn't left much time for friends or hobbies, which is something I'd like to change now I'm retiring," said Sue, who lives with her husband John, an artist, and their two sons, Luke and Matthew.

From next month the policewoman is hoping to spend more time keeping fit, admitting "I'm obsessed with my pedometer," and using her prolific experience to help others.

"If anyone is serious about a career with the police then I'm more than happy to help with some mentoring.

"I would encourage anyone who is keen and energetic."

She concluded: "There's so much variety and challenge in the job."

CHELMER VALLEY High School are just 90 minutes away from their own version of FA Cup glory.

The school's U16 team will travel to Burton Albion to take on The Thomas Telford School today for the final of the English Schools' FA Cup.

They are the first Chelmsford-based school ever to reach this stage, and will be looking to become the first team from the county to win the cup since Shenfield in 2004.

Chelmer Valley booked their spot at the final with a 1-0 win at Hele's School of Plymouth, thanks to Tyler Brampton's volley early in the second half.

Head of PE Steve Wareham – who manages the team with Dave Morgan – said: "It is a truly magnificent achievement from a school of our size.

"We are extremely proud of what they have done in this competition and they have been rewarded with an opportunity that they may never experience again."

The trip to the south west was the sixth time in eight ties in the competition that Chelmer Valley had been drawn away from home, and it was a nervous start from both sides in the South West.

The early exchanges were littered with errors, but slowly the visitors settled and they had the first real chance when Joe Jones crossed but Brampton headed wide from five yards out.

But the home side then got on the front foot and had a number of chances before the interval, but goalkeeper Matt Turner and some last-ditch challenges from his back four kept them out.

And with 50 minutes on the clock Chelmer Valley grabbed the opener when good work from Max Turkentine on the right ended with an accurate cross for Brampton to volley home.

Hele's poured forward in search of an equaliser, but the excellent Chelmer Valley defence – which has been breached just four times in the eight rounds they have played – stood firm.

And it could have got even better for Chelmer Valley as Adam Fowles rattled the crossbar and Kieran Adams fired wide when well placed.

A GROUNDBREAKING medical technology campus that will create 4,000 new jobs in Chelmsford is one step closer to reality.

The 50-acre Anglia Ruskin MedTech campus will be built between the university and Broomfield Hospital and looks set to rival medical technology parks in Silicon Valley and other parts of the US.

The project is a collaboration between Anglia Ruskin and Chelmsford, Harlow and Southend councils and involves similar parks in the two other local authorities, creating 12,500 jobs across Essex and boosting the UK medical technology sector by £1.2 billion

The partners launched their Business Network Service at London's ExCel Centre, with the aim of introducing companies to the project.

Professor Tony Young, of Anglia Ruskin University, said: "We have a fantastic history of inventing in this country. but these get turned into global products outside of the UK. Now is the chance to turn this around. We have already had interest from businesses looking to upscale and move to Essex. We have the opportunity to attract investors from around the globe to this county."

Developers have estimated the construction will cost £500 million, with the possibility of innovation centres, a private hospital, and the world's first assisted living hotel.

Lord Howe, Under Secretary of State for Health, said: "Rapidly adopting innovations that improve the quality of patient care is a priority for the NHS.

"It is vital that we support the NHS to embrace invention, be receptive to new ideas and share and spread the best ideas, products and clinical practice.

"The Anglia Ruskin MedTech Campus can play a key part in bringing these innovations to the NHS and beyond.

"With a global healthcare market worth around four trillion dollars, the potential value to the UK in terms of economic growth and development is enormous."

Steve Packham, chief executive of Chelmsford City Council, said: "There is a very proud tradition of business innovation within Chelmsford, Harlow and Southend.

"The scale of the MedTech opportunity is significant and the three authorities are fully committed to working in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University to make this venture a success.

"All locations have something very different to offer. However, collectively there is real potential to generate significant growth in this research sector.

"Developing innovation, attracting inward investment, creating new jobs and economic growth are aspirations for us all and we believe that the chances of success are greater through a genuine partnership approach."

IT'S full steam ahead for a scheme that helped Epping Ongar Railway get back on track by finding work for young people.

Scores of apprentices – of which 17 are former offenders – have been put to work on tracks across the South East, including EOR which reopened to the public last year.

The Mayor of London-backed initiative was set up in response to high unemployment in the capital, where one in four people aged 16 to 24 is out of work.

Transport for London, which is responsible for most of the capital's transport network, instigated placements for the apprentices to help bring back and maintain EOR, an award-winning heritage railway.

Many of the apprentices have already found a job within the rail industry after receiving a qualification at the end of the 12-month scheme.

Jon Miller, 19, from Chelmsford, is one of the people to have secured a job.

He said: "An apprenticeship was a great alternative to college for me because I enjoy a more hands-on approach to learning.

"Once I have finished my apprenticeship I hope to pursue a career in track maintenance or signalling."

EOR general manager Simon Hanney said: "Between January and May 2012, the apprentices carried out essential maintenance work to get the line ready to operate passenger services.

"Since then, they have been helping us maintain the line.

"Even in our first six months of operation between May and December 2012, research revealed that for every pound spent by visitors at Epping Ongar Railway, there has been a £4.74 spend locally, which is a great boost to the local economy, and we are delighted that the apprentices have helped us get where we are now."

The scheme was a partnership between Vital Rail, Vital Skills Training and TfL.

Braintree boss Alan Devonshire will give late fitness tests to midfield duo Kenny Davis and James Mulley ahead of Woking's visit to Cressing Road.

Club captain Davis is rated as doubtful after picking a knock during his side's 3-1 win over Stockport at the weekend, while James Mulley is more likely to recover in time for the clash.

Experienced goalkeeper Danny Naisbitt looks likely to retain his place on the bench following his recent recovery from a long-term ankle injury, while Bradley Quinton will sit out once more as he continues to recover from a knee problem.

Defender Matt Paine is unavailable as he serves the final game of a three-match ban after he saw red for violent conduct last month.

Woking boss Garry Hill will once again be without midfielder Lee Sawyer.

The former Chelsea trainee will complete a two-match ban for picking up his 10th yellow card of the season at Macclesfield.

Hill is unlikely to make many changes to the side that recorded a 5-2 victory over strugglers AFC Telford on Saturday.

Midfielder Billy Knott returned to the starting line-up following a month on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, and is expected to keep his place in the side after playing for 63 minutes against Telford.

AFC Wimbledon loanee Seb Brown is likely to continue in goal as Aaron Howe remains out with a shoulder injury, while forward Giuseppe Sole and Adam Doyle remain sidelined.

AN Ongar politician is standing down from Essex County Council after almost a quarter of a century in office.

Tory Gerard McEwen, 84, who represents the Ongar and Rural electoral division, will step down at the next county council elections on May 2.

Mr McEwen was chairman of the council between 2006 and 2008 and hopes to be succeeded by his wife Maggie, 74, an Epping Forest district councillor who is the Conservative candidate for the forthcoming poll.

The father of two, from Willingale Road, was first elected on to the county council in 1989.

His main motivation for standing at the time was to protest against plans to build the A414 through High Ongar.

He has been a parish councillor for High Ongar since 1977 and vows to continue in this role despite his retirement from County Hall.

The former businessman's principal interest in politics has always been on matters of strategic planning.

Mr McEwen joined the fight to stop a third London airport (at the time) being built at Willingale and subsequent campaigns to block development at Stansted.

When he originally took over from former Ongar resident Joan Martin in 1989, who also coincidentally stood for 24 years, he had no idea his tenure would last this long.

He said: "Being realistic, you have to say now's the time for me to call it a day at this sort of age. It wouldn't be fair on everyone else for me to carry on too long."

His list of responsibilities at the County Council include chairman of the County Planning Committee, which saw him represent Essex on the South East Regional Assembly and later for the newly defined eastern region and chairman of the Development Control Committee until he was elected council vice-chairman in 2004.

At present, Mr McEwen has a seat on Essex Fire Authority and is vice-chairman of the Economic Development, Environment & Highways Policy and Scrutiny Committee.

He said: "I have made so many good friends over the years through doing this and I tried my best to go to parish council meetings as regularly as I could.

"I would like to offer my thanks to them all for supporting me during my time and I am very keen to stay in touch."

He added: "If my wife goes on for 24 years I'm going to be doing the housework for that long because I've always said we would swap roles."

ORANGE recycling sacks will be collected every week from the beginning of next month – coinciding with the introduction of new bin lorries.

Brentwood Borough Council currently collects orange bags every fortnight with refuse in black bags and food waste collected every week.

But from April residents will be able to put their recycling, food waste and black sacks out every week.

Glass and green waste will remain a fortnightly collection.

The move coincides with the purchase of five 26-tonne bin lorries.

Concerns from some residents that bin men have been throwing food waste in with dry recycling have been denied by the council.

However, with different vehicles picking up recycling and black-bag waste from April 1, the authority believes that the risk of this happening has been negated.

The new policy has been introduced to increase the level of recycling and decrease the amount of landfill for which the council has to pay.

The borough's recycling rate has been on a upward trend in recent years.

In 2007/08, 41.2 per cent of waste was recycled.

In 2011/12 that figure stood at 47.99 per cent.

With the standard rate to bury waste in landfill increasing year on year, councils up and down the country are under pressure to improve their recycling rates.

On April 1, landfill tax will rise again to £72 a tonne.

Council leader Louise McKinlay said: "Our new weekly recycling service for dry waste takes our refuse collection to the next level.

"Weekly collections will mean less storage of the bags, making it even easier for people to recycle.

"Residents have told me that they welcome this.

"We have enjoyed at least six years of ever-increasing rates of recycling and this new service will further increase the amount we recycle – we are delivering a greener and cleaner Brentwood."

The new calendars and bags are in the process of being delivered and all residents should, by April 1, have one roll of 50 orange sacks, one roll of ten green garden waste sacks and two 25 compostable food waste sacks.

ARCHERS from Braintree celebrated their 60th anniversary with a field shoot at their new venue.

The Braintree Bowmen, who have recently moved from their base at Cressing Temple Barns to the Blake End Craft Centre in Braintree, went down to the woods to celebrate 60 years of the club earlier this month.

The anniversary party was the first time that the club were able to use 3D targets in their new surroundings.

"It was certainly a busy day," said Neil Day, 53, who joined the club two years ago.

More than 150 people turned up and 20 of the new 3D targets of animals of various sizes were placed in the surrounding woodland.

"We were shooting anything from two yards to 60 or 80 yards. It was quite an adventure. And the response we have had is very good," said Neil.

He joined the club when he decided it was time to pick up a hobby.

"I had a number of health problems and I was becoming a bit of a couch potato, then I was going through a website about sports and came across archery and thought I should give it a go."

After embarking on a beginners' course, Neil decided archery was a sport he was keen to pursue.

"I needed something to do in my life and that's the reason I took it up, but I have been told that I'm a fair archer.

"It was a case of it being quite a precise sport. With football, most people can kick a ball – don't get me wrong, what some players can do with a football is quite amazing – but for me it's like playing golf, you're always battling yourself. It's about a personal challenge."

And while the likes of Neil are relative newcomers to the sport, Owen Hull, 90, is one of the founding members of the group, although he no longer plays because he's "too old".

"It's the only sport I ever looked forward to.

"I didn't like football, cricket or any other sport," he said. "Naturally, I miss it, but I'm too old to play nowadays, although I still see my mate Wilfred from the club every week."

With a new clubhouse and with a growing number of junior members, the club seems likely to prosper for another 60 years yet.

VILLAGERS can now give life-saving treatment to their neighbours after Burnham-on-Crouch became the first place in Essex to receive one of 100 defibrillators to be dished out in the county.

The equipment was installed outside the Co-op on Foundry Lane and allows residents to resuscitate someone in the event of a cardiac arrest before paramedics arrive at an emergency.

Andrew Barlow, community partnership manager for the East of England Ambulance Service, said: "If someone can administer CPR or use one of these community access defibrillators within the first four minutes while an ambulance is on route, there is a significantly higher survival rate.

"When a call is made to the emergency services, if there is more than one person with the casualty, the caller will be directed to the nearest defibrillator.

"An access code and guidance will be given over the phone by the 999 operator and guidance on how to use the equipment."

The equipment, funded by the East of England Co-operative Society, will be rolled out to locations across the county which are more difficult to reach in the event of an emergency, with more to be installed in Heybridge, Maldon and Witham over the next few weeks.

Amanda Long, executive officer for membership, marketing and media for the East of England Co-operative Society, said: "It was great to see local residents take such an interest.

"While the defibrillator gives step by step instructions, which would be backed up with support from a 999 operator, we also want to highlight how action in the first four minutes can help to save a life.

"The enthusiastic and knowledgeable medical representatives were able to answer questions and provide insightful demonstrations to give local residents more confidence in the event of an emergency."

Deputy Mayor Neil Pudney joined local residents, community groups and councillors in learning more about how the defibrillator works.

They were able to practice using the equipment on resuscitation dolls, under the expert guidance of first responders and members of the Ambulance Service.

The installation forms part of the Society's Every Minute Counts campaign which aims to reach 100 communities across the East of England with the life-saving apparatus.

A TEENAGE archer from Chelmsford has set her sights on the 2020 Olympics.

Sophie Cole, 18, has just received her latest grant from The Essex and Southend Sports Trust (EASST), which will enable her to step up her preparations for selection school, where she hopes to be able to earn the chance to compete internationally this year.

She is already part of the Great Britain Academy Squad, and is on a ten-year programme which will hopefully end up with her standing on the podium in the 2020 Games - for which the venue is to be decided later this year.

"My goal is to get into the 2020 Olympics," she said. "I wouldn't say 2016 will come too soon, but I would say that it would be a plus if I was considered but 2020 is the one I really want to get into.

"At the moment I'm on year two of a 10-year programme.

"We're trying to bring the standard of archery up in our country. The Mexicans have done it but it takes about 10 years to medal."

Sophie competes locally for the Chelmsford Tudor Rose club, and she has enjoyed good progress since taking up the sport at the age of ten.

"I got into it because my friend used to do it," she added. "She invited me along and I did it as a hobby.

"A few months into it I was scoring scores near to my friend and she'd been doing it for three years. It's been a pretty long journey. At the beginning it was just a hobby and I would only shoot once a week.

"Within a year I'd done my first international and had a European Gold Medal in Finland.

"I started doing Field Archery which is different, you're shooting on cliffs, up hills, down hills and so on, but there isn't any recognition in field archery so I got on to target archery and in my first national competition I came second.

"I think I was about 12 so I got more involved in that but it wasn't until I was 16 or 17 when I got into the national squad. It's a performance academy and it's got a lot more serious since then."

Sophie juggles her archery commitments around studying childcare at Chelmsford College, with an eventual aim of becoming a primary school teacher.

Last summer, Sophie was able to watch Olympic archery up close, including her hero Alison Williamson, who has appeared in six Games in her career.

Sophie added: "I was a young games maker at the Olympics and I was collecting the arrows from the targets, so I got to meet the Olympians.

"With my Academy GB team we sat and watched the Olympics with Alison WIlliamson's dad. She's my inspiration."

Sophie is one of ten Sports Ambassadors connected to the Riverside and Ice Centre in Chelmsford and she received a cheque for £1,000 from Joe Sims of EASST at the centre earlier this week. She said: "The sponsors have been absolutely amazing. We wouldn't have been able to afford any of the trips without them to be honest."

Mr Sims added: "We provide sports funding for individuals like Sophie, clubs, disability sports and organisations across Essex.

"Where we can help, we will. Sophie and Daisy Clark are both doing really well. Daisy has other sponsors too, which is great.

"It's very gratifying when you see people progress through just a little bit of help."

For more information about EASST, visit www.easst.org.uk.

A PENSIONER from Collier Row who has Alzheimer's is continuing to live a happy life by taking part in weekly singing classes.

Janet Hobson, 70, has been on song since taking part in Singing for the Brain classes alongside her carer and friend, Sarah Stanley.

Ms Hobson has been attending the classes on a weekly basis after seeing an advertisement at her church.

She went along on the first week to give it a go and enjoyed it so much that she now never misses a class.

Ms Stanley, 37, said: "We decided to go to the classes to try it out and now Janet loves it so much she would miss it if she didn't go. When she is singing her eyes light up, it really boosts her spirits.

"She will talk about it all day and she has made so many new friends too."

There are currently more than 3,000 people with dementia in Havering.

In view of this, Havering Council and the Alzheimer's Society are working together to provide new services to help people living with the condition, their carers and families.

This is one strand of work that is being undertaken to improve dementia care in the borough that it is hoped will save £200,000 over the next three years.

Singing for the Brain uses singing to help stimulate the organ, to help people to express themselves and also to bring people together to socialise.

Ms Hobson and her carer have a special bond and they have known each other most of their lives. Their families went on holiday together and Ms Hobson used to look after Ms Stanley when she was younger.

Ms Stanley said she enjoys the classes even though she has never heard of some of the songs herself.

"Even though Janet struggles to remember anything short-term, she can remember all the words to many songs, " Ms Stanley said.

"Janet usually knows the words and who the singer is. She gets so much out of it.

"It's like for one hour a week there is no dementia."

She added: "These activities have helped Janet to remain in the family home with dignity, living a happy life."

Symptoms of Alzheimer's include loss of memory, confusion and problems with speech and understanding.

Havering Council's deputy leader Councillor Steven Kelly said: "I am really pleased that this activity is still being enjoyed by so many.

"This disease can bring about so many emotions for everyone involved and these sessions provide support and advice.

"We are focusing on helping our older residents to socialise and keep their independence. Events like Singing for the Brain give people a routine and the chance to live normal and contented lives."

For more information about Alzheimer's Society services in Havering, call 01708 739293 or e-mail anne.worboys@alzheimers.org.uk

FORMER England star Peter Shilton has been banned from the road after admitting drink-driving.

The 63-year-old pleaded guilty to the charge during a 15-minute hearing at Colchester Magistrates' Court this morning.

The court heard that he was found to have more than double the legal amount of alcohol in his system when he was breathalysed on February 24.

He was driving a 2010-registered Jaguar XF near the home of his girlfriend, Stephanie Hayward, in Manor Road, Colchester, Essex, at time and was caught after an anonymous tip-off to police.

As he left court, Shilton, England's most capped player, said: "I've nothing to say, really – just that I had a very fair hearing."

He left in a taxi from the nearby Colchester Town railway station.

Magistrate Ilona Perkins-Van Mil banned Shilton from driving for 20 months and ordered him to pay fines and costs totalling £1,020.

The court heard that the former goalkeeper had been drinking wine at a family celebration throughout the day but did not think he was over the limit.

Prosecutor Joseph Stickings said police were called to Ms Hayward's home at about 8.35pm.

They had received an anonymous tip-off that a man, who seemed drunk, had been driving nearby.

"As police were speaking to a woman at the address, Mr Shilton pulled up behind the police car," Mr Stickings said.

"The officer spoke to him and could smell alcohol on his breath. He was tested and provided a positive breath test."

Shilton, of Red Lane, Burton Green, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, wore a charcoal suit with a tie today and spoke only to confirm his name and address and enter a plea.

He arrived with singer Ms Hayward, who sat in court wearing a black dress with lace sleeves.

Paul Tawn, mitigating, said Shilton would find it difficult to pay any fine because his finances were "complicated" as he is currently going through a divorce and selling his house.

He added: "He'd had a very pleasant day at a family celebration and had consumed wine with meals throughout the day.

"He had gone to move his car closer to his partner's address because he had an early start.

"He didn't travel far, just a couple of streets, and wasn't driving very quickly at all.

"He was aware he had consumed alcohol but it was throughout the day so he did not think he was over the limit – if he had, he would not have pulled up behind the police officer."

Mr Tawn described the arrest as a "matter of deep regret" for Shilton, who has three points on his licence following a speeding offence in March 2011.

Ms Perkins-Van Mil warned Shilton he could face custody if he breached the ban and ordered him to pay the fine in full before leaving the building.

Shilton made 125 appearances for his country.

He played more than 1,000 competitive matches for 11 different clubs including Argyle, who he also managed, Stoke City, Nottingham Forest, Derby and Southampton, during his career.

Two men from south Essex were jailed today for seven years each after being convicted of firearms offences following a shooting in Billericay.

Police were contacted at 7pm on Thursday, May 17 last year following reports of shots being fired from a vehicle into an empty BMW on Mill Road. Nobody was injured.

A few days later, two 27-year-old men were arrested and subsequently charged with firearms offences.

Patrick Flanigan, a driver from Oak Road South in Benfleet and John Turner, a maintenance worker of no fixed address, appeared at Basildon Crown Court in February 2013 and were convicted of being in possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Patrick Flanigan was further convicted of being in possession of CS spray.

Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Stephen Jennings, said: "This was a serious incident which triggered a major police investigation.
"Shootings are extremely rare in Essex which is why, when they do happen, we become even more determined than ever to identify the culprits. These convictions and sentencings mean that two potentially-dangerous men will be off the county's streets for many years."

Both men had been remanded in court custody after their convictions and prior to their sentencing at Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday, March 19.

FIRST Buses has invested more than £3.5 million on 19 new vehicles for its Chelmsford fleet to improve reliability.

Fifteen shiny "Chelmsford City" buses mean many of First's older vehicles, which are prone to breaking down, will be scrapped.

The Chronicle has been overwhelmed with complaints from passengers over the past six months with long delays at the centre of the most grievances.

But bosses at First say the new buses, which cost £120,000 each and will operate on various routes including 45, 54 and 56, will "eliminate" issues of reliability.

Regional managing director Nigel Barrett said: "These new vehicles represent a significant investment in our Chelmsford services.

"Chelmsford is a growing city that demands a regular and reliable bus service, and by introducing these brand new vehicles we are able to meet and exceed our customers' expectations."

The new buses all have CCTV, E-Leather seats, low floor access, low emissions, and "Chelmsford City" liveries, plus "Euro 5" engines to help reduce their impact on the environment.

First has also introduced four new ADL Enviro 350 hybrid vehicles, which run on both diesel and electricity, which bus company bosses say not only reduce emissions, but also give a smoother and less noisy ride.

The four hybrids will be seen along route 42, which serves Chelmsford, Galleywood and Broomfield Hospital.

General manager Charlotte Whitfield will launch the new buses at a special event at Broomfield Hospital at 11am on April 2, where bus users will have the chance to quiz her over First's local services.

She said: "We are hugely excited about the arrival of the hybrid vehicles into Chelmsford.

"By bringing in new, environmentally friendly buses, we are able to provide greener, cleaner, quieter and smoother journeys to our customers in Essex, while ensuring our carbon footprint remains low.

"I'm also very interested to personally introduce the buses to the local people, and answer any questions they may have."

Essex County Councillor Derrick Louis, Cabinet member for Highways and Transportation said: "Bus services are very important to local communities and I welcome the investment into this service, particularly with the introduction of more environmentally friendly hybrid buses."