We have been looking back through the Guardian Series' archives to bring you stories that were making the headlines in our areas five and ten years ago this week.

TEN YEARS AGO

Pamela pops in to Funky Mojoes

Clubbers in South Woodford were surprised to rub shoulders with former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson.

The Canadian-American actress and model was at the Funky Mojoes club in South Woodford High Road.

Her appearance was organised to help celebrate the nightclub's second anniversary of business and the birthday bash was a big hit according to Kerry O'Reilly, the club's manager.

She said: "It went very well. Pamela was great and there were a lot of people who didn't realise she was going to be here.

"People were shocked to see her as it's not everyday you're in the same club as Pamela Anderson."

Miss Anderson, wearing a black dress and huge heels, spent almost two hours posing for pictures with revellers.

She is in the UK to promote an upcoming role in the Christmas pantomime Aladdin in Liverpool.

FIVE YEARS AGO

Former 'top secret' photograph developer passes away

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

A retired hat maker who spent the Second World War developing top secret photographs taken behind enemy lines has passed away.

Dulcie Wells, 103, of Theydon Grove, Epping, was born a few months before the Titanic sank in 1912, near Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone.

After leaving school at 14, she went to train as a milliner in central London, moving to South Woodford when she got married to late husband Claude Wells in the 1930s.

One of her earliest memories was as a four-year-old during the First World War, when she saw a Zeppelin over the south coast while staying with her aunt in Hastings.

During the Second World War, when she was in her 20s, she worked for the Ministry of Defence, processing pictures taken by Allied planes.

Mrs Wells, who was known for riding her electric scooter around Epping High Street, still knitted and played computer games every day.

She lived with her son, Richard, daughter-in-law Rose and full time carer Tendai.

Daughter, Pam Wells, said: "Mum never let anything get her down.

"If there was a problem, she simply shrugged her shoulders and got on with life.

"Although housebound in her later years, mum still knitted and played computer card games with Tendai every afternoon.

"Fond recollections at her funeral ranged from her delicious apple pies to the manic riding of her electric scooter in the High Street.

"Everyone who knew her will remember her as a caring, loving person with a wonderful sense of humour."