Review of the year: May

The scenes were reminiscent of those four decades previously when boss Lawrie McMenemy and his team brought back the trophy after their 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Wembley.

Those on board included original driver Eddie Maton and former Daily Echo photographer Phil Burner, who had covered the original parade for the newspaper.

• SOUTHAMPTON was named one of the fattest places in the UK.

Figures released put the city in the top ten places in the country with high levels of obesity, based on medical records.

Out of every 100,000 people in Southampton there was 1,755 admissions where medics recorded a “primary or secondary” diagnosis of obesity.

City bosses hit back in the battle of the bulge by launching a campaigner aimed at making Southampton healthier.

The One You roadshow toured the city giving free advice and guidance on health eating and exercise, giving up smoking and cutting down on alcohol.

• A DEVELOPER revealed its vision to replace the dilapidated Bargate Shopping Centre in Southampton.

The plans would see the entire area between the Bargate and Debenhams redeveloped by Bargate Property Ltd.

They would include a new boulevard alongside the medieval city walls that would open up a route from the Bargate monument through to Queensway.

Civic chiefs hoped work to tear down the old centre would begin by the end of the year.

• AN EXPLOSION and fire destroyed a firework shop in Bitterne, Southampton.

More than 70 firefighters fought the flames at the Flower Factory and Southern Firework Factory in Bitterne Road West.

No one was hurt but the blaze reduced the two businesses to a charred ruin and caused thousands of pounds of damage.

The fire set off dozens of fireworks and left a huge cloud of black smoke hanging over the area.

As many as 60 people had to be evacuated from their homes.

• CROWDS lined the Hampshire coast to welcome the world’s largest cruise ship to Southampton.

But passengers on Harmony of the Seas were shocked to see the luxury cruise liner as a “construction site”.

Overflowing urinals and shattered glass were among the complaints lodged.

Owner Royal Caribbean said: “Finishing touches were being made to the vessel and safety was always its primary concern.”

The £1billion ship first left Southampton for its commercial voyage as Royal Caribbean signed a seven-year deal with the Port of Southampton that secured the City Cruise Terminal as the official home of the company until 2023.”

• FANS braved the rain to see the legendary locomotive Flying Scotsman as it thundered through Hampshire on a nationwide tour.

The 92-year-old steam engine was back on track after a restoration project that cost more than £4million.

It travelled along the line from Romsey to Southampton Central before heading towards Eastleigh via an unscheduled stop at Swaythling, where it was forced to stop amid fears there were trespassers on the track.

The Flying Scotsman was the first railway engine in the UK to reach 100mph.

• THE EU Referendum campaign turned violent when Leave spokesman Boris Johnson came to Winchester.

Activists clashed at the Buttercross monument in the city centre as the former Mayor of London brought his roadshow to the city.

Police investigated reports that a Leave campaigner punched a man dressed as a gorilla in the face and pushed a local councillor John Romero six feet off the Buttercross and on to his back.

Mr Johnson claimed leaving the EU would lead to a boom for the Port of Southampton and controlled immigration would benefit Hampshire industry.

• HOME favourite Craig David was one of the star turns at the Common People music festival in Southampton.

The event brought an array of top musical talent and boosting the local economy by around £1million.

Duran Duran and Primal Scream were also among the headliners who performed over the weekend on Southampton Common.