SOUTHEND Carnival has been incredibly popular for decades, but it is yet another event which had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic this year.

While organisers of the annual festival were forced to postpone this summer’s proceedings, which was originally scheduled to take place last month, it was confirmed the carnival will make its comeback next year.

The local community rushes to the seafront - and to various other locations around the town - to catch a glimpse of the eye-catching floats.

Our snaps from the Echo archive show how many people also get into character for the bonanza, with some dressing up as historic figures and others taking inspiration from their favourite films.

Echo:

Iconic look - Leigh’s Louise Davies dressed as Walt Disney favourite Mary Poppins when she headed to the Southend Carnival in the 1980s

These images show how much the event has transformed through the decades.

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 more Southend Carnival photos through the ages.

Echo:

Ole! Brother and sister Stuart and Jenna Ostermeyer, from Canvey, headed to the carnival as a matador and a Spanish lady

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Aerial view - thousands of people were in attendance and congregated outside Adventure Island when the Southend Carnival took place in August 2015

Echo:

Historic - Alex Perkins, eight, as a Roman centurion, Bonnie Blueman, six, as Cleopatra, and Hannah Perkins, six, as a

Roman lady

Echo:

Bronze position - Kristina Holland, from Stanford-le-Hope, won the third prize with her Southend Carnival Sandcastle Fancy Dress outfit in 1988

Echo:

The True Blues - David Hancock, Miss Southend United winner Amanda Everson, Alan Froy and Arthur Orchard (left to right)

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Echo:

Watching on - the community was out in full force to witness the carnival as it passed by Southend Pier five years ago

Echo:

Roar - Westcliff Rugby Club were among the clubs and organisations to get involved in the 2015 Southend Carnival

Echo:

It’s a pirate life for me - a host of pirate-loving youngsters got into character for the popular annual event five years ago

Echo:

Taking his hat off - six-year-old Scott Cooper, of Leigh, as Prince Charming in 1988