Your city paused to gaze in wonder at a total solar eclipse in August 1999, the first over mainland Britain since 1927. City residents were among 350 million people in Europe and Asia to witnessed the last total solar eclipse of the century. Astronomer Patrick Moore described it at the time as a "strange, weird experience." It was one of a number of stories making the news headlines in Leeds during what proved a month to remember in August 1999. These photo memories rewind to 31 days which featured the end of an era for a shopping centre in a suburb, children on the city’s smallest estate getting artistic and the big clean-up getting underway after a feast of festival music. READ MORE: Walk around Seacroft Shopping Centre during the 1960s and 1970s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
1. Leeds in August 1999
Shoppers and workers in Park Square stop to watch the eclipse. Photo: Dan Oxtoby
2. Leeds in August 1999
Residents watch the removal of the elevated pedestrian walkway at Seacroft Shopping Centre. Photo: Dan Oxtoby
3. Leeds in August 1999
Graffitti artist 'Moose' demonstartes his skills in one of the many tunnels in Leeds. Rather than painting on the slogans, Moose simply wiped off dirt which accumulated from the passing traffic. Photo: Charles Knight
4. Leeds in August 1999
Retailer Halfords opened a new store on York Road. Pictured is store manager Paul Hewitson with some of his staff. Photo: Paul Barker
5. Leeds in August 1999
Yorkshire Cricket Club held an open day at Headingley for the next generation of cricket talent. Pictured in the nets is Gerpret Suri. Photo: James Hardisty
6. Leeds in August 1999
Somerfield boss, Ted McCabe, pictured standing second from right, flew over a proposed new warehouse depot at Sherburn in Elmet in a Swordfish aeroplane, first made on the site more than 50 years ago. Photo: mike cowling