WEST Suffolk was turned a bright shade of red and purple at the weekend as up to 200 women from across the UK and some as far away as France, Germany and Sweden gathered for an annual convention.

They were all members of the Red Hat Society who were holding their gathering at Center Parcs, in Elveden.

And yesterday they took time out from the fun and games at the complex for a visit to Bury St Edmunds which included tea at the Athenaeum, all turning up in the town in three red double decker buses.

Their tour of the town ended up being the largest group guides have taken round Bury and Sharon Fairweather, Tourism Officer for St Edmundsbury said: “We were delighted to welcome the ladies to Bury. We regularly see members for the Christmas Fayre and we are very pleased that they have chosen to come back to see more of the town.”

Heads were turned as the women in their bright attire were seen in the town looking at many of the historic sites and tourist hotspots.

This year’s convention was organised by the Batty Bees group which is based in Bardwell and the first chapter of the Red Hat Society to be set up in Suffolk.

Its Queen Dorothy Squirrell said: “We have had an absolutely fabulous weekend full of fun and everyone has really enjoyed themselves. It’s been one big party.”

On Friday all the chapters gathered at Center Parcs for a Wok and Roll Chinese meal followed by a Masked Ball and Gala Dinner, on Saturday, before their trip to Bury where they went on to visit Wyken Vineyard, at Stanton.

Then it was back to the leisure complex to say their farewells.