It is a roundabout that was renowned across the country.

At one point hundreds of chickens are thought to have lived at the junction at Ditchingham, near Bungay, with even a board game made in their honour.

But two years after the final birds were taken away, a campaign has begun to get them back – only this time in statue form.

A group have joined together online to discuss an idea of creating small chicken statues on the roundabout, near Ditchingham Maltings, in honour of its illustrious past.

They hope that with the approval of the people of Ditchingham they might be able to place statues on the roundabout, with small metal silhouettes among the early possible ideas.

Didy Ward, who is on Bungay town council, said that someone had made a suggestion on Facebook almost jokingly but soon many others had thought it was a wonderful idea.

Now a devoted group has been set up on the social network to discuss the idea, with interest soon growing.

Mrs Ward said: 'I think people from all over have liked the project, I don't think it is just Bungay people. It is a wonderful way of commemorating a unique feature for our area.'

She added: 'People loved seeing the chickens, although not quite everyone. Some local residents were not too happy but it attracted tourists who seemed to love seeing them there.'

Although more than 300 people have shown interest in the group, Mrs Ward was keen to emphasise the idea is still in a very premature stage and that it is vital to get the support of people in Ditchingham for the idea.

Julian Green, chair of Ditchingham Parish Council, said it was the first he'd heard about the idea, and said he would personally prefer to see real chickens back on the roundabout.

It is not the first time an idea has been suggested to pay tribute to the chickens, however the most recent suggestion is on a smaller scale.

Deidre Shepherd, of Bungay town council, said: 'An idea was mooted a couple of years ago and it was greeted with enthusiasm by our local MP and local county councillor.

'They've got the Angel of the North and we thought we'd have the Chicken of the East, which would be rather nice.'

It is thought that chickens lived near the Norfolk and Suffolk border for more than 50 years, with Gordon Knowles, of Bungay, feeding them for 21 years.

They became a major talking point with the junction still known by many as 'chicken roundabout', although there was a mixture of opinions in the area as to whether their presence was good or bad.

Two years ago the remaining ones were taken away by animal charities, when Mr Knowles, who became known as 'chicken man', gave up trying to look after them.

It is thought there were more than 300 in their peak, but when he gave up there were just seven remaining, with many of them taken or injured.