This week, we take a look back at the top Irvine and Kilwinning stories and pics from March 2004.

Who can you spot in these Irvine Times photos from 20 years ago?

Irvine Times: Friendship

Irvine’s Friendship Charity Committee held their annual Thank You Supper in March 2004. The committee invited along all those who had helped them raise much needed cash for local good causes in the previous year. And the event, which was held in the Woodlands Centre, also provided an opportunity to hand out cheques totalling £1600.

Irvine Times: Oldfather

Pupils at Corsehill Primary got a lesson in politics as part of their latest project after Labour MSP Irene Oldfather paid a visit to the school in March 2004.

Irvine Times: Church

Building work on St Mary’s new church in Irvine finally got under way in March 2004. North Ayrshire Council leader David O’Neill laid the first brick to allow work to begin on the £250,000 hall development at the West Road church.

Irvine Times: Football

These talented young female footballers  from Irvine Royal Academy made it through to the second round of the Coca-Cola 7s tournament after victory in the Ayrshire heat in March 2004.

Irvine Times: Tesco

Tesco staff in Irvine donned school uniforms to launch their 2004 Computers for Schools campaign. Customers would receive a computer voucher for ever £10 they spent in store, which schools could then put towards new equipment.

Irvine Times: Prince Edward visited Eglinton Country Park in March 2004

Prince Edward visited Kilwinning as part of a whirlwind tour of Ayrshire. The Earl of Wessex took time out of a busy schedule to give Eglinton Park its first ever Royal visit and made the popular attraction his first port of call in his two-day visit to Ayrshire. Local man Andrew McCance waited hours for the chance to shake hands with the Prince.