The rain held off long enough for hundreds of shoppers to enjoy seeking out hand-made gifts and artisan produce at a popular craft fair in west Suffolk at the weekend.

East Anglian Daily Times: Clare Priory Craft Fair.Clare Priory Craft Fair. (Image: Archant)

Since it began in 1993, the popular annual event at Clare Priory has raised thousands of pounds towards the extension of the Catholic Church in the priory’s Ashen Road grounds.

This year at the fair, guided tours were given of the completed £1.3million project, which recently won a national award from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in the Building Conservation category.

Although Sunday saw some heavy downpours, the wet weather failed to dampen the spirits of exhibitors who were displaying everything from handmade cards and jewellery to knitwear, tweed bags and photographs.

Visitors could also sample culinary treats ranging from frozen yoghurt and strawberry wine to Indian dishes and freshly baked olive bread.

East Anglian Daily Times: Eric and Donna Simonds with one of the unusual bird boxes made by Eric on the Unique Bird Box Boutique standEric and Donna Simonds with one of the unusual bird boxes made by Eric on the Unique Bird Box Boutique stand (Image: Archant)