REMEMBER when Lake Meadows had a boating lake that actually had boats on it?

The Billericay beauty spot was once a magnet for families and friends who could rent a boat or pedalo and take to the lake ( as one of the images in our photo gallery shows).

Yet times have changed and health and safety concerns have meant the lake - although still magnificent- is now just for ducks and wildlife only.

All of the photos in our gallery today were taken in the year 1973. They appeared in the Southend Standard newspaper in colour - very unusual for the time due to the expense of colour printing.

Also featured is TV star Leslie Crowther who would go onto become famous for his “’come on down” catchphrase as the host of the popular game show, The Price is Right. He is pictured at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend during the summer of 1973.

Also making the gallery is actor Peter Adamson, who at the time was a big TV star thanks to his role as Len Fairclough on Coronation Street. He is photographed crowning the Southend Carnival Queen for the year.

Other photos show what was happening across south Essex in 1973 - all in vibrant colour..