In pictures: Coney Island closure

New York's landmark Astroland amusement park at Coney Island closed for good on Sunday night over a lease row with developers, the park's owner has said.

News that Sunday would be the last chance to enjoy the park's famous rides drew hundreds of people to the seaside site in Brooklyn.

The three-acre (1.2 ha) site was packed on a warm sunny day...

...in the evening, though, visitors were asked to leave the premises and lights at Astroland were shut off for the last time.

Some Coney Island residents mourned the demise of "the world's greatest amusement park", which first opened in 1962.

Last week, Astroland's owner Carol Hill Albert said she would close the park because she was unable to extend lease with private developer Thor Equities, which owns the site.

Ms Albert said she had wanted to extend the lease - which expires on 31 January 2009 - through 2010, according to the Associated Press.

A Thor Equities spokesman said the firm was "extremely disappointed" by Ms Albert's move with several months remaining on the lease, the AP reported.

However, Coney Island's famous Cyclone roller coaster and also the huge Wonder Wheel will be unaffected by the closure, as they are owned separately.

Coney Island, shown here in 1958, has been a seaside resort for New Yorkers for more than 100 years.