TELEVISION addicts who dragged themselves away from Channel 4's spy-on-the-wall show Big Brother might have been tempted to head for Stowmarket and a competition based on the popular programme.

TELEVISION addicts who dragged themselves away from Channel 4's spy-on-the-wall show Big Brother might have been tempted to head for Stowmarket and a competition based on the popular programme.

Contestants were confined to a stage at the town's Recreation Ground throughout yesterday as they battled it out for a DVD player, undertaking challenges, voting to evict each other and consuming a mountain of food and drink as they watched the revelry around them – and the public watched them.

The innovative event was one of the highlights of official Jubilee celebration Stow Live, which saw an estimated 8,000 people join the party.

Rosie Carter, one of a team of Stow Live organisers, said about 700 people had been involved in running the Jubilee showcase. "It has been a brilliant event – there is such a community spirit here and the months of organising have been worth it.

"We had a bit of a shower in the afternoon and the numbers dropped, but people came back with mini-tents and gazebos. There has been a real party atmosphere and the support from local people has been wonderful."

Another big event was in Hadleigh, where many windows of houses and shops along the High Street had been decorated with special displays.

The High Street was closed to traffic for the afternoon for a variety of entertainments with the emphasis on children.

Read tonight's Evening Star for loads of jubilee pictures and stories from the area.