THE coronavirus pandemic may have stopped bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts making the trip to south Essex this year, but these eye-catching snaps from 10 years ago show just how popular the Southend Shakedown is.

Thousands of bikers travel from far and wide to Southend’s seafront for the annual event, while crowds of spectators are also attracted by the imaginative custom-designed motorcycles.

This year’s Southend Shakedown was due to take place on Easter Monday but the outbreak of Covid-19, as well as the enforcement of lockdown measures just a matter of weeks earlier, resulted in the fundraising fun having to be cancelled.

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Jam-packed - the Southend Shakedown attracts thousands of bikers from around the country - and it was no different in 2010 as motorcycles were penned in just a stone’s throw from Southend Pier

Consequently, south Essex missed out on 3,500 bikes descending upon the seafront.

These pictures, from April 5, 2010, demonstrate the popularity of the Southend Shakedown, but the event was temporarily taken off the calendar recently.

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Sending out a message - Damon Mackins made the journey from Romford with his scooter

The family-friendly experience was cancelled in 2017 – which would have been its 19th year – due to spiralling costs, but the bikers returned last year for what was known as the Southend Shakedown – The Resurrection.

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When social distancing wasn’t a thing - hundreds of spectators cram together and watch on

Spectators flocked to the seafront for the affair, which also raised vital funds for charity.

Despite the setback of seeing this year’s Shakedown called off, like so many other events around the world due to the deadly coronavirus outbreak, it appears the Southend Shakedown is here to stay.

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Visitor - Dennis Lechmera came down from Bromley on his Triumph

Following the postponement in April, the event’s organisers said: “It is with much regret that we have cancelled the Southend Shakedown 2020.

“The Shakedown WILL be back for Easter 2021!”

Scroll down to see more pictures from the 2010 Southend Shakedown.

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Drawing attention - a biker turned up at the Southend Shakedown 10 years ago on what appears to be half bike and half Beetle

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Having fun - George and Candy Long, from Purfleet, are joined by the Kent-based Sue Eyers

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Not to be messed with - an angry-looking rat adorned the front of one of the motorcycles which made the trip to south Essex

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Popular - bikers, motorcycle enthusiasts and spectators were in attendance along the seafront 10 years ago

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Unusual - bikers flocked to Southend seafront on eye-catching custom-made bikes for the event