GALLERY Hundreds of people descended on the grounds of an historic hall to celebrate the oldest breed of working horse in the world.

Danielle Nuttall

HUNDREDS of people descended on the grounds of an historic hall to celebrate the oldest breed of working horse in the world.

Mediterranean temperatures drew huge crowds to Helmingham Hall, near Ipswich, yesterday for its biggest ever Suffolk Punch Day.

The Suffolk Punch Trust provided a number of Suffolk Punches and foals for the occasion which proved to be the most popular attraction of the day.

There were also birds of prey displays, classic cars, vintage agricultural vehicles, craft and trade stands and main ring activities.

Lord Tollemache, who opened his beautiful grounds for the event, said: “I am delighted that we are able to put on an event of this nature and that we are able to introduce even more people to the beautiful Suffolk Punch.

“I am indebted to a number of individuals and organisations who have thrown their energy and passion into this day and are so keen to see it a success.

“We are delighted that this has been another successful event for the hall and that we were blessed with beautiful weather to make it even more enjoyable for everyone.”

The Suffolk Punch is the oldest breed of working horse in the world and has the longest written pedigree of any such breed.

The introduction of mechanisation on farms depleted numbers until the late 1950s when only five breeders remained.

Universal support has since been pledged to bring the breed back from the brink of extinction.