Beach huts are synonymous with the south Essex coastline and these photographs show they have stood the test of time.
As our seafront is packed with bank holiday day-trippers this weekend, we have rolled back the years by rediscovering these eye-catching images of the seafront beach huts from up to 51 years ago.
Beach huts are highly sought-after nowadays, but they used to simply be seen as a private space for the wealthy, with them using the small building to change into their swimsuits before going for a dip.
They can now be worth big money, but beach huts in Southend were on sale for as little as £300 in 1980.
For sale - beach huts were on the market for as little as £300 in 1980
However, they could still set you back £2,500 if they were in good condition and of a slightly bigger size than others.
Scroll down to see more retro snaps of the beach huts which still line our seafront today.
Hankies – brave seaside goers walking alongside the beach huts as snow turned to ice in 1982
Family fun - Gwen Maddison and her children enjoying a relaxing day along the Thorpe Bay coastline
Seeking shelter at the seaside - Georgina Bernini in 1970
Atmospheric - a south Essex resident walks in front of the Shoebury beach huts in 1980
May have inspired a hotel business - a beach hut adorned with a Holiday Inn plaque
On the sand - Kathline Barney relaxes with friends and family in Thorpe Bay
Creative - our south Essex beach huts have always boasted some unique names
Worse for wear - some Southend beach huts appear to be falling down in 1979
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