Freddie Laker would be proud.

The club which the aviation entrepreneur founded in Southend is still going strong, more than 50 years later.

The town's branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special dinner at Hollywood restaurant in Shipwrights Drive, Thundersley.

The club was founded by Sir Freddie, who died last February. He was one of the first airline owners to adopt the no-frills airline business model which has since proven to be very successful worldwide.

His second airline venture, Channel Air Bridge used to fly cars and their owners from Southend to Calais.

Sean Corr, the current secretary of the club, explained: "Freddie Laker founded the branch as chairman in 1957. He was with Aviation Traders and the Royal Aeronautical Society was looking to establish a local branch, which is how it got here."

The group now has regular meetings each month where there are speakers from the world of aviation. Some of the members are current or retired professionals, such as pilots or air traffic controllers, while some are aviation enthusiasts.

Mr Corr added: "We have a membership of just over 100 people. We are still going strong and hope to be going on for another 50 years."

For more information on the Royal Aeronautical Society in Southend visit www.raes.org.uk