Community spirit prevailed in one south Norfolk village today (Saturday) as its annual teddy bear festival got under way.

More than 1,000 people passed through Great Ellingham and delighted in more than 100 of the furry friends which lined the roadsides.

Highlights included an 8ft straw shoe surrounded by bears, one dressed as Princess Beatrice, and another as Queen Elizabeth, not to mention 53 garage sales held by local residents, and more than 200 bacon rolls which were sold throughout the day.

The festival, now in its eighth year, has so far raised about �28,000 for charities with causes benefiting this year including East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) and village organisations such as St James Church, Brownies and Scout groups.

Pete Clayton, chairman of the Teddy Team, said: 'This is the way we start it so the garage sales encourage people in and as they come through they see the teddy bears and they go away to talk about it and that's how people hear of us. 'We don't really do it for the money. The money comes along at this sort of thing but we do it to promote the good feeling and community spirit in the village.

'It's wonderful - it's almost impossible to find something to complain about.'

The trail officially kicked-off a fortnight of teddy-themed events.

For more information, visit www.greatellingham.org.uk.