FOR 105 years, Southend’s Adventure Island, in Western Esplanade, has been putting smiles on families’ faces, as well as helping to create lifelong memories.

With its stunning seaside location, the variety of rides on offer and the enthusiastic staff, it is one of the go-to amusement parks in the country, thanks to more than 40 years-worth of hard work from the Miller family.

Echo: Southend gem - Adventure IslandSouthend gem - Adventure Island (Image: Newsquest)

The story of the UK’s number one free admission fun park goes all the way back to 1918 when it began life in Southend as the Sunken Garden, which was home to a few children’s rides.

Fast-forwarding 58 years to 1976, the Miller family purchased land located west of the world’s longest pleasure pier and completely transformed the space into a proper amusement park.

Echo: Peter Pan’s Playground in August 1975 shows Whip and The Crooked House, which remains hugely popular todayPeter Pan’s Playground in August 1975 shows Whip and The Crooked House, which remains hugely popular today (Image: Newsquest)

The tourist attraction was now known as Peter Pan’s Playground.

Echo: The theme park in the 1970sThe theme park in the 1970s (Image: Newsquest)

Go-karts, a helter skelter and a family rollercoaster were some of the attractions on offer.

Echo: A man and woman walk their dog through Peter Pan’s Playground in 1986 A man and woman walk their dog through Peter Pan’s Playground in 1986 (Image: Newsquest)

Echo: Revellers enjoy the rollercoaster in June 1986Revellers enjoy the rollercoaster in June 1986 (Image: Newsquest)

The year 1995 saw a vast expansion after land to the east of the park was purchased but it also marked the retirement of the Peter Pan’s Playground name and the debut of the Adventure Island name.

Echo: Adventure Island in 1996Adventure Island in 1996 (Image: Newsquest)

More additions were coming and in 1999, the park launched its popular Zierer Tivoli coaster Green Scream, which was placed in the east side of the park – and is still there today.

Echo: Family coaster - Green ScreamFamily coaster - Green Scream (Image: Adventure Island)

It was considered the signature ride until the huge yellow and purple Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter called Rage arrived opposite the family coaster in February 2007, replacing the Ragging River log flume.

It is one of the biggest investments the park has made, with the ride costing in the region of £3million.

Echo: Thrilling - RageThrilling - Rage (Image: Adventure Island)

It was called Rage after a competition in the Echo to decide a name for the ride.

In 2014, the park bid a fond farewell to one of its oldest attractions – the Pirate Boat – to make way for a new indoor soft play, arcade and rides area called Adventure Inside.

Echo: Removed - Pirate BoatRemoved - Pirate Boat (Image: Google Maps)

This new space opened in spring 2015.

Echo: Attraction - Adventure InsideAttraction - Adventure Inside (Image: Adventure Island)

Last December, the £1million 36m tall City Wheel, which offers breathtaking views of Southend, was opened to a trumpet fanfare to commemorate the then town receiving city status.

Echo: Icon - City WheelIcon - City Wheel (Image: Carla Doodes)

Next year, a new fearsome drop tower ride that is set to stand at 38m next to the City Wheel will be sure to draw people in.