KEITH HAMILTON looks through past editions of the Echo and reviews the issues which made the headlines

50 years ago: The Tony Desmond Club-men, billed as Southamp-ton's brightest dance band, appeared at the Royal Pier where tickets cost 10p for women and 12p for men.

Police were investigating the theft of ten wireless sets from pupils' rooms at Winchester College.

40 years ago:An American sailor painting the side of the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La, visiting Southampton Docks, was rescued from the water after he fell from the vessel's deck.

After drying off, the sailor went back to work only to be rescued yet again after falling in a second time.

30 years ago:Southampton corporation bus crews were set to go on strike if their demands for a £20 minimum wage were not met.

A total of 400 drivers and conductors met at the Guildhall and decided on industrial action, after the city council turned down a union proposal.

20 years ago:Car fans in the South were anxious for a first glimpse of British Leyland's latest car, the Mini Metro which was making its first appearance.

Plans to knock down the distinctive entrance building to Southampton's Royal Pier were being opposed by the city council.

10 years ago:Police isued details of an undercover operation in an attempt to capture IRA terrorists operating in Hampshire.

The Daily Echo and other news media had agreed a news black-out on the operation while the hunt for the IRA cell was under way in the county.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.