With councillors preparing for a busy period of campaigning ahead of the local elections taking place in May, we have discovered some fascinating pictures from years gone by.
The latest local election is due to take place on May 6, with councillors vying to remain in leading roles.
Our archives have managed to capture triumph, disappointment and tense moments as results were being delivered from the 1950s all the way up to before the turn of the century.
Arthur Cook debated requesting a recount as voting went to the wire in 1988, while an entire Shoebury street were missed out in 1992 postal votes.
Ignored - residents of St Mary Close, in Shoebury, who were left out of postal voting in 1992
We have even discovered a snap of an authority which is no longer in existence - the Rayleigh Urban District Council.
Scroll down to see more eye-catching photographs from years gone by.
The votes are in - Arthur Neighbour discussing the St James’ ward result in 1987
Jumping for joy - Labour Party members celebrate taking control of Basildon Council in 1982
Cross party - Victor Curtis OBE (centre) with Rayleigh Urban District councillors from the Conservative and Labour parties following the 1971 election
Read more:
- IN PICTURES: Leading politicians to have headed to south Essex over the years
- When protesters took to picket line in Southend and Basildon during 1970s and '80s
X marks the spot - Maggie Dunne reminding residents to vote in Basildon Council’s 1992 elections
Tense - Arthur Cook (right) debating on whether to request a recount in the Rochford Council elections of 1988
Together - Castle Point MP Sir Bernard Braine at the Red Lion with his bulldog mascot after the 1959 election
Crowds gather - the 1959 election results are read out in Billericay
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