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

50 Years Ago A total of 1,200 troops sailed on the Empire Windrush from South-ampton to fight in Korea.

Two men who appeared before Southampton magistrates were fined £1 each after pleading guilty to daubing the slogan "Hands off Korea'' on a wall in the docks.

40 Years Ago The huge American aircraft carrier Shangri-La arrived in Southampton with 4,000 sailors all anxious for a run ashore after a month-long Atlantic exercise. One of the events organised for them was a dance at Southampton's Royal Pier where ladies were admitted free.

30 Years Ago Services across Hampshire were badly disrupted when county council workers joined national action over pay.

The Temperance Seven jazz band appeared at the Great Harry public house in Warsash along with Southampton All Stars Big Band.

20 Years Ago Police were called to the Cotswold Hotel in Portswood, Southampton to deal with an uninvited guest.

An employee moved a dustbin in the hotel's car park and found a 2ft snake which was later identified as a Spanish Horseshoe Whip snake.

10 Years Ago Hundreds of home owners in Hampshire found themselves caught up in an alleged mortgage fraud investigation. A New Forest businessman was at the centre of the inquiry which was thought to involve up to £2 million and fears that some people would lose their homes.

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