SOUTHEND seafront was a hugely popular destination for car cruisers in the 1990s, but you would hard pushed to see them visiting south Essex regularly nowadays.

Car lovers would proudly drive up and down Eastern Esplanade, with dozens of south Essex residents even heading out to see what was on show.

The early 1990s were a boom time for car enthusiasts to show off their modifications and handiwork.

While official car cruising events are still welcomed, police and councils have taken decisive action to prevent unauthorised gatherings.

Echo:

Admiring eyes - crowds gather outside McDonald’s for a cruiser meet in the 1990s

An injunction banning car cruises across Southend borough was enforced four years ago, while Essex Police obtained a temporary dispersal order in an attempt to prevent a meeting in Pitsea in May 2016.

Scroll down to see more eye-catching photos from years gone by.

Echo:

Enthusiasts - Mike Bannell and Ken Robbins posing with a T-shirt for the Cruisin’ Lakeside group in October 1992

Echo:

Speaking out on behalf of Southend Council - Martin Terry poses for our photographer as he looked to clamp down on car cruisers heading to Southend when unauthorised

Echo:

Cruising - Antonia Galbraith, Clare Lakin and Julie McKenzie pose with their four-legged friend in June 1995

Echo:

Rowdy - drivers on Southend seafront in March 1994

Echo:

Busy - cruisers gather in a south Essex car park in October 1992

SEE ALSO

Echo:

Enjoyed by all ages - the Fuller family got out of the family home and watched some car cruisers in October 1992

Echo:

Clampdown - police taking decisive action to prevent unauthorised gatherings four years ago

Echo:

On the streets - Southend police officers stand outside Adventure Island to ensure there are no unauthorised car cruiser gatherings in 2016