THOUSANDS descended on a Suffolk heritage site at the weekend to enjoy the Olympics – medieval style.

While the nation’s focus was on the diving, athletics and kayaking at London 2012, there was competition of a different kind at Framlingham Castle.

Sword fighting, archery and poleaxe combat were among the contests at The Knights’ Tournament of Foote, which took place over Saturday and Sunday.

Organisers hailed the success of the event, which sees armoured knights – representing each corner of the country – compete against each other.

But it was not just combat – there were jesters providing entertainment, medieval musicians and living history actors.

Lucy Hutchings, regional events manager for English Heritage, said the tournament had attracted around 2,500 people over the weekend but admitted numbers were boosted by the superb weather.

She added: “People have definitely got behind it, absolutely, and I think it’s been helped by the Olympic Games going on at the same time.

“It’s been absolutely fantastic. You could compare it with the atmosphere in the Olympic Park.”

A similar event, Medieval Mayhem, takes place at Framlingham Castle on August 28/29.