CHILDREN in buggies, ladies in bonnets and some very smart-looking youngsters – this is what Prittlewell Square looked like in 1912.

The image was sourced by Jon Wennington, member of the Ros Southend Pastin Photos - old Southend and memories.

Echo: Then and now - Prittlewell Square in 1912 and as it is todayThen and now - Prittlewell Square in 1912 and as it is today (Image: Sourced and taken by Jon Wennington)

According to the Southend Timeline website, 1912 was ayear of firsts for Southend. In April of that year was the Titanic disaster when Mr ThomasPFranklin,of CeylonRoad, Westcliff, and Mr Arthur Lawrence, of Rochford, a steward, drowned.

It was also the year the Palace Theatre opened under the management of the Raymond Animated Picture Company.

The same year, the first Southend airshow took place, based on a demonstration of sea planes. It was considered sensational for the time and attracted a huge crowd.