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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 mtDqGqooIasQmBEbDVludw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-03-013965.txt : 20030714
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-03-013965.hdr.sgml : 20030714
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030714171318
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-03-013965
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030714
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030714

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LAMB JOSEPH T JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001182744

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-24753
		FILM NUMBER:		03785810

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5101 NORTH CROATAN HWY
		CITY:			KITTY HAWK
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27949

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ECB BANCORP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001066254
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				562090738
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 337
		STREET 2:		HWY 264
		CITY:			ENGELHARD
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27824
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2529259411
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd13188.xml
<DESCRIPTION>JULY 14, 2003 FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-07-14</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001066254</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ECB BANCORP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ECBE</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer>
<reportingOwner>
<reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001182744</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LAMB JOSEPH T JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeSecurity>
<securityTitle>
<value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-07-14</value></transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value></transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>2000</value></transactionShares>
<transactionValue>
<value>23.00</value></transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>14983</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"/>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
<footnoteId id="F3"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeSecurity>
<footnotes>
<footnote id="F1">In addition to the listed shares, the reporting person may be deemed to directly own the following shares of the issuer&apos;s common stock: 700 shares as custodian for his grandchildren.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">In addition to the listed shares, the reporting person may be deemed to indirectly own the following shares of the issuer&apos;s common stock:  5,467 shares by spouse.  The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Act of 1934 or for any other purpose.</footnote>
<footnote id="F3">In addition to the listed shares, the reporting person may be deemed to indirectly own shares of the issuer&apos;s common stock as follows:  2,200 shares by Puala Ann Corporation; 3,200 shares by Lake Drive Corporation; and 3,525 shares by Zee R. Rochelle Inc.  The reporting person is a director and/or principal shareholder in these corporations, but he disclaims beneficial ownership of those shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest.</footnote></footnotes>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>Joseph T. Lamb, Jr., By: William R. Lathan, Jr. Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-07-14</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>


</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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