WE’VE uncovered these lovely photos from our archives, which show Southend and Leigh as they were nearly a century ago.

The images were all taken in 1929 and include scenes of the borough’s parks, as well as work taking place on the seafront to build the once-popular Sunken Garden as well as the boating pool.

Also pictured is a nostalgic view of Strand Wharf in Leigh as well as an idyllic image of houseboats moored at Leigh.

Half a century before this photo of Strand Wharf was taken, it was owned by a building company. There was one solitary dwelling on the wharf where a man known as ‘Bill Little’ used to live.

In those days the postman would stand on the wharf, blow his horn and wait for local residents to come out of their homes to come to him. They would also give their rate money to the postman who would then take it to Rochford for them,