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

50 Years Ago Thousands of people were expected at The Stadium in Southampton to watch a heavyweight wrestling match which included King Bonga-wonga. New Forest Council unveiled plans for a seashore site for up to 50 caravans at Stone Point, Fawley.

40 Years Ago A motorcycle supplier in Onslow Road, Southampton was urging local people to "go gay the Capri scooter way, the world's safest lightweight at 93 guineas (£97.65),'' in a Daily Echo advertisement. The Wo-men's Gas Federation, was celebrating its 25th anniversary.

30 Years Ago Southampton Football Club was being taken to task by fans after a number of players made "rude gestures'' at the crowd. "I trust the players will be reminded that the people who pay their wages have every right to express an opinion,'' said a Daily Echo letter writer.

20 Years Ago Bad news for local passengers with the news that the Hants and Dorset bus company was applying to increase fares between 2p and 10p. The RAF aerobatic display team, The Red Arrows, staged a spectacular display over Southampton using Hawk aircraft made at Hamble.

10 Years Ago Arsonists left a trail of damage as a result of spate of fire attacks in the Northam area of Southampton. The fire brigade was called after the gang struck four times, setting light to cars in Kent Street, Millbank Street and William Street.

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