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Suffolk Day celebrates heritage and culture of 'modest' county

Reuters Ed SheeranReuters
Students are dressing up as singer Ed Sheeran to celebrate Suffolk Day

A "modest" county's first ever day of celebration has included street parties, food tasting and students dressing up as singer Ed Sheeran.

More than 30 events are being held to mark the inaugural Suffolk Day.

It is to recognise the county known for its chocolate-box villages, Ipswich Town Football Club, 50 miles (80km) of coastline and horseracing at Newmarket.

Suffolk Day is based on a successful model in Yorkshire and is planned to be held annually.

Otley College Students, staff and children dressed up as Ed SheeranOtley College
Otley College has gone all-out to show its love of singer Ed Sheeran by dressing as the county's famous "son"
Otley College Otley College staff dressed as Ed SheeranOtley College
Staff who do not naturally sport auburn locks donned wigs to mimic Ed Sheeran
Otley College Alison Harrald as Ed SheeranOtley College
Ed Sheeran - AKA Alison Harrald - welcomed visitors to Otley College's reception area

As part of the day's events, bells at 14 towers are ringing out, including at Fressingfield, East Bergholt, Sproughton, Elmsett and Debenham.

Students and staff at Otley College have dressed up as Sheeran, who grew up near Framlingham, showing their love for the county's famous "son".

Children were dressed as the singer, and they even found a ginger dog to join in the celebrations.

More news about Suffolk Day

Archant Suffolk Paul Mariner holding the Uefa Cup in Ipswich town centre in 1981Archant Suffolk
Ipswich Town Football Club lists the league title in 1962, the FA Cup in 1978 and the Uefa Cup in 1981 among its honours

Elsewhere, there are events including dancing, theatre productions, food tastings, live music and a celebration of the county's literary riches.

Candles will be lit at Felixstowe beach in memory of loved ones at the end of the day.

Suffolk One Suffolk OneSuffolk One
Sixth form band Suffolk One recorded an Ed Sheeran tribute songs on YouTube to celebrate Suffolk Day
Getty Images Newmarket GallopsGetty Images
Suffolk is famed for the gallops at Newmarket

The idea for Suffolk Day was put forward by BBC Radio Suffolk and is being backed by Suffolk County Council and the East Anglian Daily Times.

A Suffolk County Council spokesman said: "We have so many things to be proud of in Suffolk.

"It's not always in our nature to shout about things, we tend to be quite a modest bunch, but this is a great opportunity for communities to come together in celebration of our great county."