The 7th Earl of Leicester was fondly remembered during one of East Anglia's biggest celebrations of rural life.

Eastern Daily Press: The Stampede Stunt Company performing in the main ring at The Holkham Country Fair. Picture: Ian BurtThe Stampede Stunt Company performing in the main ring at The Holkham Country Fair. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant)

Edward Coke, who died on April 25, aged 78, established the Holkham Country Fair in 1977, four years after he inherited the Holkham Estate, near Wells.

The event was set up to teach children about country life.

When opening this year's fair, on Saturday, Lord Leicester's son, Tom, who is now the 8th Earl of Leicester, said: 'This year the event is tinged with sadness as it is three months to the day that my father died.'

Lord Leicester added: 'My father was a great countryman and before moving to this part of Norfolk he was brought up in the bush in Africa where he would hunt for the table.

Eastern Daily Press: The Stampede Stunt Company performing in the main ring at The Holkham Country Fair. Picture: Ian BurtThe Stampede Stunt Company performing in the main ring at The Holkham Country Fair. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant)

'Today's show reflects the good things about the countryside that many of us enjoy - a wholesome way of life, country pursuits and good, fresh, local, seasonal food and drink.'

Lord Leicester also wrote in the fair's programme: 'There can be fewer more fitting testaments to my father than us carrying on with the show.'

Stampede Stunt Company ensured the two-day fair, which finished yesterday, started in style during a lively opening ceremony.

It also features a dog and duck show, a hound parade, a parachute display team, birds of prey and numerous other activities and stalls.

Eastern Daily Press: The Stampede Stunt Company performing in the main ring at The Holkham Country Fair. Picture: Ian BurtThe Stampede Stunt Company performing in the main ring at The Holkham Country Fair. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant)

Event organiser Sarah Green said: 'This is the biggest event of its type in this part of Norfolk.

'We keep running traditional countryside events because that what people like to see and look forward to.

'The fair is all about teaching children about the country life.'

The Holkham Country Fair is held at the Holkham Estate, near Wells, every other year.

The EDP was the event's official media partner at this year's event which attracted more than 30,000 people.

Mrs Green added: 'Due to the bad weather the turnout has been slightly down on previous years, but we've still had a decent crowd over the two days and people have been really enjoying themselves.'

A donation from the organisers will be made to The Red Sock Charitable Trust, which has raised funds and awarded grants to charities, particularly those for children, of more than £500,000 since they were founded in 1975.

Volunteers from the trust helped to run the fair.

What did you think of this year's Holkham Country Fair? E mail adam.lazzari@archant.co.uk.