HUNDREDS of people turned out to a Family Fun Day held at a Bungay foodstore to raise money for a local group fighting to preserve the honey bee.

The event at Bungay Rainbow store helped to raise �1,142 in just four hours for Bungay Community Bees.

Deputy manager of the Hill Side Road East store, Chris Frary, said: 'We're really chuffed with the final total.

'It was a fantastic day with hundreds of people present and lovely weather. It was a great team effort - with so many members of staff giving up their own time to get involved.'

The day featured fairground rides, a variety of stalls and even a close-up look at a fire engine.

The biggest queue was for the 'stocks', where scores of youngsters waited for the chance to soak Anglia Co-operative regional operations manager, Kelvin McDonald, with wet sponges, with some visitors even used a fire hose.

Bungay Community Bees said they were 'bowled over' by the boost to their funds at the weekend's event and co-founder Elinor McDowall added: 'We're really, really grateful.

'It will make such a difference to our work as the only income we have is from members' subscriptions.

'The group exists to promote the survival and increase of honey bees and other pollinators in our environment in as natural way as possible and also inspire others to respect and love the honey bee – and this is a fantastic boost for us.'

It is hoped that the money raised will be used to provide new-style hives which will be built by group member Mike Southern to develop a more natural way of beekeeping and help combat the varroa mite, which is threatening honey bee colonies.

The money will also be used to promote bee-friendly plants in a local garden centre and also provide packets of bee friendly flower seeds.