Teenager Tony Ready didn't have to ferret around to find the fun at a Laindon summer fair.

The youngster from Billericay was only one of up to 200 fun-seekers who made their way to the first event staged by the King Edwards Joint Estate Management Committee.

The crowds filled Victoria Park in Laindon and enjoyed attractions including a 73-year-old steam roller, a playbus, coconut shy, craft stalls, side shows, a Basildon 50th birthday display and Morris dancers.

Chairman of the JEM, Dorothy Jacobs, said: "We hope to go forward and do another one next year.

"We had a lot of feedback from the community and they said they would like to see a bit more of this.

"Basically, it was to let residents know there is a JEM and we are here for their moans and groans. We also wanted to encourage people to use the park."

She added: "We would like to thank all the volunteers who helped us, including vice-chairman Tom Taylor."

Love bites - Tony Ready, 15, from Billericay, with some furry friends

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.