OUR shopping habits have changed hugely over the course of the past three decades, so the Echo has delved into the archive to look at some snaps of Rayleigh High Street from years gone by.

Long before the birth of online shopping - which has become increasingly popular and led to high streets across the country struggling - these photographs shows times when Rayleigh High Street was bustling.

Independent shops, including butchers and grocers, proved to be a hit with the local community.

But you will also be able to spot some familiar brand names, such as banking giants Barclays, in these pictures taken in the 1970s and 80s.

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Familiar name - Barclays bank in September 1970

High streets have also struggled in recent times due to the coronavirus pandemic, but shop owners will be hoping for an upturn in the months to come.

Join us on a trip down memory lane by joining our ‘We grew up in Essex’ Facebook group. If you have old photos and stories to share with our readers, simply complete our online form.

Scroll down to see how Rayleigh High Street looked in the 1970s and 80s.

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Grand opening - a trumpeter is on hand as Rayleigh’s new International Supermarket is opened in October 1979

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Window shopping - the view outside H. Mann & Son

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Proved popular with the community - the shopping parade shows numerous shops in July 1982

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Bringing back memories - Manns the Grocers in Rayleigh High Street in 1972

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View - looking along the High Street towards Holy Trinity Church

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Open for business - Bonzo’s DIY store had a host of wares available

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Mapped out - Rayleigh Civic Society’s new colour map of the town in May 1993

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Popular name - Boots the chemist in June 1980

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Busy - shoppers at the Rayleigh Lanes Indoor Market in December 1984