This time last year film and television stars descended on Southend as scenes for the newest season of Netflix’s hit show The Crown was filmed in the city.

This week marks a year since a dramatic scene with a burnt-out car, a damaged old vehicle and piles of rubble was set up outside the Southend Council offices at the Civic Centre in Victoria Avenue.

Echo: Bertie Carvel recreates Tony Blair's 'hero's welcome' in KosovoBertie Carvel recreates Tony Blair's 'hero's welcome' in Kosovo (Image: Simon Murdoch)

Council bosses had kept tight-lipped about the name of the show at the time but the Echo had been told scenes for the next season of the popular drama were being filmed in the city.

And a board on set by the Civic Centre read "The Crown, Derek Richard Strand and Ben Wilson, scene 51, take 1”.

Echo: The dramatic scenes in the Civic CentreThe dramatic scenes in the Civic Centre (Image: Newsquest)

Last month, the first volume of the final season of The Crown, which follows the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II, was released by Netflix and the streaming service is set to release the second, consisting of six episodes, tomorrow (December 14).

These include the episodes filmed in Southend city centre, as The Crown recreated Tony Blair's hero's welcome on the war-torn streets of Kosovo in 1999.

Echo: People clap for Blair in scenes being filmed in SouthendPeople clap for Blair in scenes being filmed in Southend (Image: Simon Murdoch)

Blair, who is being played by Bertie Carvel in the show, supported NATO’s decision to launch a 78-day air campaign against the forces of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999. Boys born in Kosovo following the war were sometimes given the name Toni or Tonibler, in honour of Blair and his role.

Echo camera club member and photographer Simon Murdoch captured some of the filming activities at the Civic Centre at the time, with various United Nations Land Rovers, military vehicles, tents, and a press conference with actors portraying press photographers pictured.

Echo: United Nations Land Rovers in the cityUnited Nations Land Rovers in the city (Image: Simon Murdoch)

Simon also spotted people with blankets on and a few holding placards with "Kosovo thanks you" written on them. 

Scroll down to see more images of when the sixth season of The Crown was filmed in the city

Echo: Actors filming scenes outside the Civic CentreActors filming scenes outside the Civic Centre (Image: Simon Murdoch)Echo: One of the United Nations tentsOne of the United Nations tents (Image: Simon Murdoch)Echo: A burnt out car in one of the dramatic scenesA burnt out car in one of the dramatic scenes (Image: Simon Murdoch)