Online protest as BBC withdraws football commentary

Local radio station BBC Essex, is set to reduce its live commentary of both Southend United and Colchester United's games for the forthcoming 2008/9 football season.

Southender Gary Bullock told us: "From a Southend perspective, last season's home gate averaged over 8,000. With travelling fans averaging a creditable few hundred, that leaves over 7,000 avid supporters who, for reasons such as other commitments or financial considerations, will not now be able to enjoy the excitement of a Saturday afternoon's sport. Even more supporters will suffer as the financial burden of spiralling fuel costs make the prospect of regular away travel simply too expensive. Considering the nature of the Corporation's funding I would have expected a more community-friendly approach to broadcasting schedules.

A member of Shrimperzone.com, a Southend United fansite, has instigated an on-line petition to press the BBC to reconsider. www.petitiononline.com/bbcessex/petition.html.

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Southenders mad for iPhone

Apple's new 3g launched this morning, and queues started forming at the Southend o2 store on the High Street.

At opening time, there were at least 70 good folk queuing to get their hands on this new phone.

Overheard in the queue...

Passer by: "What's everyone queuing for?"
Queuer : "The new 3G iPhone from Apple"
Passer by "Oh, are they free?"
Queuer: "I wish"

... At which point, the passer by rolled her eyes, laughed, and passed by... giggling.

It's only a phone, Southenders!

If you're desperate for a 3G iPhone, try your luck ordering online at o2 or Carphone Warehouse