A non-scary Halloween event held at north Norfolk outdoor learning centre Holt Hall over the weekend attracted more than 2,500 people.

Run since 2001 by the Fairyland Trust, the two-day event aims to focus on the natural world and the beauty of the season.

'Rather than doing anything scary, we wanted to have a traditional event celebrating autumn, where everything we do has a learning outcome,' said Fairyland Trust committee member Abi Panks.

Youngsters, parents and grandparents, who came from as far afield as Suffolk and Essex could sign up for paid-for workshops from wizard training, to broomstick-making, or take part in the host of free attractions on offer - ranging from storytelling, to apple bobbing.

A woodland games area featured sugar beet skittles,'knock down the rotten veg' and 'pick up broomsticks', while visitors could also browse clothing and craft stalls, tuck in to refreshments at the Crab Apple café, drop in to a cuddly wildlife hospital, make secret dens and fairy houses, or listen to music by folk groups Addison's Uncle, Pennyless and Space Cake.

A lantern-making workshop saw hundreds of youngsters decorate glass jars with cut-out moths, bats and spiders, before gathering in the woods at dusk to watch a dramatisation of the story of the Real Halloween.

Fairyland Trust members carrying illuminated woodland animal sculptures then led a parade back to the hall, where a team of fire artists gave a performance on the front lawn.

Mum-of-three Francesca Prosser, who travelled to the event from her home in Whatfield, Suffolk, with sons Jude, 2, George, 7, and Gabrel, 8, said: 'We all just love nature and being outdoors and the Real Halloween is really special as it is joyful, it's family-friendly and it focuses on the natural side of Halloween.'

Ms Panks thanked all those who had helped organise the two-day event, including a 50-strong team of Fairyland Trust members and supporters.

'I think what people love about the Real Halloween is that it is completely geared towards a celebration of nature, and the fact that we get people coming back year after year is a real mark of its success,' she said.

For more information about the Fairyland Trust, visit www.fairylandtrust.org