The year was 1979, The Police were top of the charts, Maggie Thatcher was Prime Minister and the must have gadget was a Sony Walkman.

It was also the year the late Terry Wogan attracted hundreds of fans to SavaCentre in Gillingham to celebrate its first birthday.

Sir Terry, who presented the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show at the time, attended the store as guest of honour on October 16, 1979.

He is pictured sporting a pale suit, checked tie and long sideburns. Security staff appear to be holding back a crowd of excited shoppers as Terry cuts one of the store’s giant birthday cakes with manager Bill Oakley.

During his visit, the DJ was also given the task of handing over first prize in a bingo competition to the lucky winner. He presented a video cassette recorder to Chris Spendley from Minster.

The pictures are likely to bring back fond memories for some readers, following Sir Terry’s death at the weekend.

The veteran broadcaster died of cancer on Sunday at the age of 77. Tributes have poured in from the world of television and radio.

After the news broke on Sunday morning, kmfm presenter Tony Blackburn posted on Twitter: “I can hardly believe my old friend Sir Terry Wogan has died. RIP Terry and thanks for being a friend.”

He later added: “I have to be honest I’m finding broadcasting today difficult after the sad news about Sir Terry.”