A century-old fete and flower show in east Suffolk returns this afternoon with organisers expecting the “outstanding” spring and summer to have helped produce some “first class” exhibits.

The Orford, Sudbourne and Gedgrave Flower Show and Fete will feature 175 different classes of exhibits, including vegetables, fruit and flowers, alongside sections in drawing, painting and photography and a range of traditional children’s games.

Show committee member Michael Bellegarde said the competition was often “keenly fought” with the special vegetable section, for heaviest marrow and pumpkin and longest runner bean or parsnip, always attracting “great interest”.

“The cooking and handicraft sections show off our local talent and children of all ages are not left out, with plenty of scope for their imaginary work,” he added.

“Artists are well catered for in terms of drawing, painting and photography sections.

“Gardeners, cooks, craftsmen, artists and flower arrangers are sure to find a category of interest or just to admire on the day.”

The show, which starts at 1.30pm on Orford Recreation Ground, will also feature the popular annual attractions of the dog race, which starts at 4.30pm, and children’s sports from 2.30pm. Other traditional fete activities including donkey rides, miniature train rides, and a bouncy castle will be held throughout the afternoon, alongside some more unusual offerings such as the “human fruit machine”.

“The plastic running balls should be great fun for participation and spectacle,” Mr Bellegarde added.

Although the paper records for the event in its current form, only go back only to the 1920s, organisers believe a flower show has existed in the area since the 19th Century.

Over more recent years, the show has diversified to include sections on painting, photography and the dog races.