Clacton Pier loves a party, and last week it had every reason to stage one. It was a weekend of celebration that saw the seaside resort party like it was 1871.

Clacton Pier has thanked visiting families and staff for making the attraction’s 155th birthday celebrations “a weekend to remember.”

The event included a giveaway of 155 wristbands, 155 cupcakes, free live music, history talks, a specially baked cake, and the pier’s “biggest and best ever free fireworks display.”

“The owners put on a host of fun for everyone and families responded by turning up in their droves and helped to create a fantastic atmosphere,” said communications manager Nigel Brown. 

“Thanks also to our whole team who worked tirelessly in the heat to make sure everybody had a great time. It could not have gone any better and will give us plenty to live up to in five years time when we celebrate our 160th birthday.”

The firework extravaganza included new pyrotechnics and musical accompaniment, which will be used for all future displays, while the success of the Pier into the Past history trail means the route will now become a permanent feature.

“We are fortunate to have a great pier family who helped pull this all together and we were able to share it with the wider pier family of loyal guests who support us all through the year,” said GM Harry Peek.

“It’s weekends like that that make us feel like one community and we hope everybody enjoyed it as much as we did.”