A SWEET tradition was upheld at Somerleyton Hall on Friday as children enjoyed Penny and Bun Day.The 25 pupils from the village school were invited by Lord Somerleyton to the stately home where he handed out an iced bun and a pound to each child.

A SWEET tradition was upheld at Somerleyton Hall on Friday as children enjoyed Penny and Bun Day.

The 25 pupils from the village school were invited by Lord Somerleyton to the stately home where he handed out an iced bun and a pound to each child.

The tradition dating back more than 150 years began in Victorian times when buns were given to children in the village along with a brand new penny.

It always takes place around Valentine's Day each year and Sir Morton Peto who rebuilt the hall in 1850 started the custom, which has been continued since then by the Somerleyton family

This year, the children sang Lord Somerleyton a collection of songs and rhymes before he allowed them to negotiate the maze in the grounds of the hall.

Headteacher Ann Utting said: “It was really nice. The children presented their own version of five current buns based on Somerleyton Hall, they sang a rhyme and finished with a song called a Magic Penny.”