Tens of thousands of people swarmed to west Suffolk this weekend for what organisers expect to have been a record breaking Christmas Fayre.

The four-day event, held across the town centre, is the largest Christmas fayre in the region, and while the total number of guests is still being totted up organisers expected the final figure to exceed the 120,000 visitors it had last year.

Now in its twelth year, the fayre has seen a year-on-year rise in the number of guests since its inception.

The mayor of Bury St Edmunds, Patrick Chung said: “It was wonderful, it went very well. The weather didn’t help, but we think the number of people we had was more or less the same as last year, maybe more.

“Despite the weather people had great fun. We have had good feedback, people love it. They say how lovely the fayre is, and the town of Bury St Edmunds.

“People who haven’t been to Bury before take the opportunity to come down to the fayre and see the town. People like to find out about Bury St Edmunds.

“It has been great, a great job done by organisers.

“Children always love the funfair, and the adults find the shops nice and everythings there, food and drink and coffee.

“I like to help out at the fayre because I love the town. I have been in the town for 46 years. It’s well organised, great fun and great for Bury St Edmunds.”

Sammie Andrews, from Ipswich, who visited the fayre with her family, said: “I have been before, a few years ago and I loved it.

“I loved it just as much this time, although initially finding a car park space was difficult.

“The atmosphere gets you into that Christmassy feeling with music playing, the smell of delicious food and the hustle and bustle of people.

“I particularly enjoyed the live music and performances on offer which topped it off for me.

“There were also some wonderful stalls with unique gift ideas. Will definitely return again.”

The event came under fire last year for failing to make a profit when final figures showed a loss of £1,264.