Here’s a welcome blast from the past. These wonderful images, which haven’t been seen for decades, show some of the nation’s most beloved stars coming to south Essex.

They include Barbara Windsor making a glamorous entrance in Westcliff in 1970 to open a new beauty salon in London Road.

Echo: Crowds gather outside Downtown Records Shop in Southernhay, Basildon to meet Noel EdmondsCrowds gather outside Downtown Records Shop in Southernhay, Basildon to meet Noel Edmonds (Image: Newsquest)

This was at the height of her fame in the Carry On films and of course long before the pint-sized actress, who died in 2020, would become a household name again for playing Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders.

Echo: Barbara, later to be made a dame, arrived in a chauffeur-driven car Barbara, later to be made a dame, arrived in a chauffeur-driven car (Image: Newsquest)

Echo: Barbara enjoying the banter as she cuts the ribbon to open the salonBarbara enjoying the banter as she cuts the ribbon to open the salon (Image: Newsquest)

Also in the gallery are photos of Noel Edmonds opening a new record shop in Basildon.

The Multicoloured Swap Shop and Top Of the Pops presenter came to open the now long-gone Downtown Records in Southernhay in 1974.

Echo: Dennis Waterman in a record shop in 1981Dennis Waterman in a record shop in 1981 (Image: Newsquest)

His arrival sparked a flurry of interest as crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the star, as as you can see in our gallery.

And last but not least we have images, again taken by an Echo photographer, of Dennis Waterman also in a record shop but this time in 1981. We’re not sure exactly which shop it was, but he was here promote his single Wasn’t Love Strong Enough.

Echo: Noel Edmonds at Downtown RecordsNoel Edmonds at Downtown Records (Image: Newsquest)

The photos are all from out archives of old negatives which are being kindly restored by Peter Everingham, a volunteer at Rayleigh Town Museum.

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