TWO independent music shops celebrated Record Store Day in two very different ways over the weekend.
More than 300 independent record shops take part in the event across the UK, with unique stock, fun events and the sharing of music culture.
One of them can be found in Clacton High Street.
Music Mania has been a magnet for music-lovers ever since it opened in 1993, and always takes part in the annual event.
Owner Malcolm Stone said: "Record Store Day was superb - people started a queue at 8pm the day before - staying overnight.
"Some of the unique event items are limited edition so you have to queue early - there might only be 500 releases in the UK.
"Our queue stretched right to the end of the High Street - it took us until noon to get through everyone - and then we were busy again in the afternoon.
"We had around 650 limited edition items only available from independent record shops - from Taylor Swift to Olivia Dean to Pixies.
"After the event, we only have about 50 Record Store Day items left!"
Following the success of the event, Mr Stone hopes people will visit independent music shops more often - and not just Record Store Day.
He said: "I can't complain because the day went so well but I would like people to know we are here all the time.
"Some customers say they will see us next year but that's the most frustrating thing to hear.
"Please pop back in again and see us!"
Format, in Walton's High Street, celebrated the event with the launch of their new fanzine and a music set by DJ Oli.
Owners and brothers Lee and Paul Phelps decided to create their own fanzine - called Compiled - about all kinds of music genres.
Lee said: "We're a second-hand collector shop anyway, so we thought it would be more interesting to do things based in the past.
"We launched our first fanzine, which will be the first in the ongoing series
"We decided to make one because fanzines just don't exist anymore.
"The inspiration came from me sitting at home over Christmas and watching a punk documentary on YouTube and seeing a Rough Trade shop in the '70s with hundreds of these on the counter.
"I just thought, why don't they do those anymore?
"Our fanzine touches on a little bit of everything - there's politics, punk, French music, a retro gig guide and so much more."
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