Sidmouth hot cross bun giveaway goes down a treat

The century old Good Friday tradition is as popular as ever if these photos are anything to go by.

Organisers of Sidmouth’s hot cross buns giveaway again proved they have the recipe for success after handing out nearly 1,000 Easter treats on Good Friday.

The weather was just right for the tradition, which sees two buns, an orange and a Cadbury’s Creme Egg given to children under the age of 12.

Harry Denning and Ethan Morley, both 11, were the first to pick up the treats for the second year running - queuing up at 6.40am.

Anne Funnell shared the tradition with her granddaughter Sophie Langford, having attended it with her auntie in the 1950s.

Sidmouth Town Band entertained crowds as they lined up in the Bedford car park. The event was opened by Sidmouth Town Council chairman Jeff Turner.

Tony Perram, secretary of the organising committee, said: “It went very well and there were quite a few notes and money put in the tin.”

He thanked the Lions Club of Sidmouth for its £125 donation, committee members David Pring, Simon James, Bernard Holland and Mike Jones, and Tom Griffiths and Wendy Marcombe for the use of the car park.

Tony added that the surplus 40 bags were taken to nursing homes for residents to enjoy.