The Sun: the Wapping years

In January 1986, the Sun moved, along with other News International titles, from Fleet Street to Wapping in east London. The plant, which aimed to take advantage of new printing technology, soon became known as 'Fortress Wapping' because of its forbidding appearance and tight security Photograph: Sam Doherty/Getty

The 13-acre site was innovative in that it combined editorial offices with the printing works, which featured a ramp for lorries to deliver papers hot off the press. The Sun's offices were on the sixth floor, with the News of the World on the fifth and the press hall below Photograph: Rex Features

The paper's proprietor, Rupert Murdoch, holds up copies of the Sun and Times on January 27 1986, the day after the papers were first printed at Wapping Photograph: PA

The paper's move to Wapping was a controversial one, as thousands of print workers were made redundant by the introduction of new technology Photograph: Sam Doherty/Getty

Unions including Sogat and the NGA held mass protests outside the plant, and there were repeated clashes with police until the strike ended in February 1987 Photograph: Public domain

Kelvin MacKenzie had already been editor of the Sun for five years when the paper moved to Wapping. He continued to helm the paper successfully but controversially, particularly over coverage of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster Photograph: News International

In March 1986, MacKenzie manufactures a splash out of a rumour about comedian Freddie Starr - and creates perhaps the most notorious tabloid headline of all time Photograph: Public domain

Under Mackenzie, the Sun became an unstoppable juggernaut, its circulation peaking at 4.3 million in August 1988 Photograph: Rex Features

The paper takes a stand against European integration in November 1990 Photograph: Public domain

The Sun's famous April 1992 election day front page Photograph: Public domain

The next day, the paper claims responsibility for the Conservatives' election victory Photograph: Public domain

Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown comes under fire in March 1992. The 1990s saw a string of covers exposing extra-marital affairs and political sleaze Photograph: Public domain

The paper celebrates the departure of England football manager Graham Taylor, nicknamed 'Turnip Head' after the team loses a World Cup qualifying match to the Swedes Photograph: Public domain

Stuart Higgins, MacKenzie's long-serving deputy, took over as editor in January 1994 Photograph: PA

The paper comes out in favour of New Labour in March 1997, two months before Tony Blair's landslide general election victory Photograph: Public domain

The paper celebrates Sarah Ferguson's visit to Wapping in June 1998 Photograph: The Sun

David Yelland joined as editor from Murdoch's New York Post in June 1998 Photograph: PA

In 2001, the paper reports that a decorator had seen a rubber duck in the Queen's bathroom. 'I nearly fell off my ladder when I saw it,' he says, 'but at least it shows the Queen has a good sense of humour.' Sales of rubber ducks reportedly rise by 80% Photograph: Public domain

In this classic headline from 2000, the paper reports on an attempted gem heist at London's Millennium Dome Photograph: Public domain

Rebekah Wade took over as editor after Yelland's departure in 2003 Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PA

Prince Harry is photographed in Nazi uniform at a friend's fancy dress party in 2005 Photograph: Public domain

In an imaginative stunt, the Sun mimics the selection of a new Pope by turning the smoke from the Wapping chimney red to show its support for Labour in the 2005 general election Photograph: Public domain

The paper uses a photo of Gordon Brown superimposed on a classic shot of Winston Churchill as part of its campaign against the European constitution in September 2007 Photograph: Public domain

The paper reflects England football fans' deflation in November 2007 as their team fails to qualify for Euro 2008 Photograph: Public domain

As Sun print workers say goodbye to 'Fortress Wapping' for a vast new printing press in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, speculation rises as to where editorial staff will find their next home. Premises in Waterloo and Canary Wharf are seen as the favourites, with a move not expected until late in 2010 Photograph: Martin Godwin/Guardian