THE coronavirus pandemic has caused havoc for everyone this year - and it put many of our Halloween plans on hold until 2021.

The initial Covid-19 outbreak in March resulted in the government putting a host of guidelines in place, including social distancing, in a bid to halt the deadly disease’s spread.

Many of the restrictions remain in place now and, as a result, the majority of the south Essex community did not change into their fancy dress costumes to get into the Halloween spirit.

Scary house decorations also did not go up as first hoped, while numerous events to celebrate the annual extravaganza were cancelled.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Youngsters - Lucia Sanchez, Miley Smith, Charlotte Beer, James Hobbs, Gemma Hobbs, Kelly Smith and Beau-Betsy Smith at a Barleylands Halloween spectacular in 2017

We have dipped into the Echo archive to look at how Halloween costumes have developed through the decades from the 1980s through until the current day.

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Scroll down to see more of our favourite Halloween costumes through the decades.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Ghoulish - Evinas Dijokas, Reimantas Matijosius, Gita Matijosiute-Dijokiene, Ugne Balciunaite, Irma Matijosiute and Raminta Matijosiute

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Pumpkin - Emma Puntenay's daughter Amelia enjoyed her first Halloween last year

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Lookalike - Uncle Fester, from the hit film The Addams Family, at Basildon's Eastgate Shopping Centre

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Trio - revellers at a Halloween party held at the Pink Toothbrush in 2008

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Together - Siobhan Callaghan, Tracey Sibthorpe, Sam Nichol, Charlotte Raven, Sharon Cogan, Cody Waite, Donna Sammy and George Nesnan outside Westcliff's I Love Fancy Dress in 2009

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Evil smile - Michael Campling dressed up to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2009

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Throwback - Kersten Howard, 15, from Canvey, had a Halloween meeting with 15-year-old Lee Hunt (right) at the Southend Music Festival, held at St Bernard's Convent School, Westcliff, in October 1988

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Scary - Rosie Munns (left) and Hannah Tilleray headed to Adventure Island in their Halloween costumes in 2010

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Approach with caution - Daisy Hayes with Amber the Burmese Python, from Essex Reptile Encounters, at Festival Leisure Park