The historic Mecca Bingo Hall on Essex Road was trashed by hundreds of partiers during a 24-hour party of drinking, loud music and destruction. Vandalism and litter were all that was left behind once the celebration started winding down.

The bingo hall itself has been closed down since March despite protests from regular customers. The building, famed for its Egyptian design, first opened in 1930 as the Carlton Cinema, and was later converted into a bingo hall.

Residents living nearby described the scene as the destruction began: "Loads of vans turned up, and next thing loud music started pounding out. In the early hours a guy who lives below me came out and started shouting at them to no avail... Glass was breaking all nite - I didn't get any sleep at all. The next morning they were still here."

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