The fine but cold weather was expected to attract thousands of people to Bury St Edmunds today for the annual Christmas Fayre.

Roads are set to be busy and car parks full to the brim for the third day of the event which begun at 9am and runs until 8pm with tomorrow’s times being from 10am to 5pm.

Organisers are urging visitors to use the park and ride service which will operate from Saxham Business Park, just off the A14.

The council car park in Olding Road will will serve as a free park along with the West Suffolk College, in Beetons Way.

Additional car parks will also be provided courtesy of Greene King.

Every main car park in the town was full just before 10.15am yesterday and the park and ride facility was also at maximum capacity after noon, according to St Edmundsbury Borough Council.

Spaces did become available in the town’s car parks after 3pm but with record numbers of visitors expected at this year’s fayre, Bury’s transport infrastructure is likely to be stretched to its limit.

The council stressed that additional car parking is available today and Sunday and said they “appreciate everyone’s patience getting around the town”.

The forecast for the weekend is fine but cooler with temperatures hovering around 5 degrees.

Up to 120,000 people are expected to attend the event which covers a large swathe of the town.

There are 300 stall holders and up to 180 coaches coming to the town over the four days of the fayre.