WE LOOK back into the archives to see what was making headlines in south Essex, and further afield, on this day in previous years.

One year ago...

THOUSANDS of fans lined Southend seafront to give the Blues a heroic welcome home after the team triumphed at Wembley in the League Two play-off final.

The Shrimpers, fresh from their dramatic, last-gasp heroics at Wembley, laid on a special open top bus parade in front of a packed seafront.

Starting at Roots Hall, the red double decker weaved through Victoria Avenue and London Road before reaching the seafront, moving along Western Esplanade and Marine Parade.

Fans took over Pier Hill, adorning railings and buildings with Blues flags and waved and cheered as the bus passed by.

Five years ago...

Echo:

Ten years ago...

SOUTHEND’S bid to host the UK’s first Las Vegas-style supercasino lays in tatters.

The £100,000 blueprint for a huge gambling complex on Seaway car
park was rejected by the Government’s Casino Advisory Panel.

Opponents spoke of their anger and frustration after taxpayers’ cash
was “wasted” on consultants who drew up the bid.

Peter Wexham, Lib Dem councillor for Leigh, said: “We were 100-1 outsiders to get it and they spent £100,000 preparing their bid to the
Government.

“They had no chance and just wasted money chasing the dream.”
Blackpool and the Millennium Dome site at Greenwich are now seen
as the frontrunners, while Thurrock and Chelmsford also made it onto the shortlist for a smaller casino.

Southend’s bid was spearheaded by Southend Council and  regeneration agency Renaissance Southend, which steadfastly pursued the bid in the face of public criticism.