Eighties favourite - TV’s Rod Hull and his sidekick Emu turn on the Southend Carnival lights in 1987
Southend Carnival has always been a hugely popular event along our coastline - and these photographs show just some of what was going on at the event in 1987.
The coronavirus pandemic resulted in last year’s event being cancelled and last week organisers announced they had made the tough decision to scrap the 2021 event as well.
The carnival was set to take place in August.
We have delved into our archives to rediscover these snaps from 34 years ago, which include Rod Hull and his sidekick Emu turning on the carnival lights.