The county was buzzing with activities yesterday in celebration of St Edmund’s Day.

Downpours failed to dampen the spirits as different events honoured the former King of East Anglia, who was killed by Viking invaders on November 20, 869AD.

Greater Anglia’s St Edmund train was rededicated at Ipswich railway station yesterday morning. Reverend Canon Philip Banks, Canon Precentor at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, carried out the service.

He said: “I’m pleased to be here today to rededicate this train St Edmund, helping to raise the profile of our Suffolk saint, once patron saint of this country.”

In Bury St Edmunds, Greene King marked the day by opening its new £750,000 St Edmund Brewhouse at its headquarters in the town, with three new beers already in production.

Chris Houlton, managing director of Greene King brewing and brands, said: “Today really is a historical landmark for Greene King. The St Edmund Brewhouse will allow us to be more flexible in our approach to brewing than ever before.”

Elsewhere, St Edmundsbury Cathedral hosted a performance of Courage of a King and held a special Holy Communion.

Author Mark Taylor was at the cathedral and Waterstones signing copies of his new book Edmund: The Untold Story of the Martyr King and his Kingdom, and prizes in the St Edmund’s Day Awards were handed out yesterday evening.

St Edmund was the patron saint of England until 1222, when he was replaced by St George. The East Anglian Daily Times has backed a campaign to get him reinstated as the country’s patron saint, which has been led by BBC Radio Suffolk’s Mark Murphy.

Yesterday the presenter broadcast his show from Bury’s Arc shopping centre to mark the occasion.