CHOCOLATE eggs may have already been on the supermarket shelves for weeks but the spirit of Easter is really starting to hit home today in Suffolk's schools.

CHOCOLATE eggs may have already been on the supermarket shelves for weeks but the spirit of Easter is really starting to hit home today following end of term celebrations in Suffolk's schools.

Children across the area have been taking part in all manner of activities to celebrate one of their favourite times of year.

Students in Ipswich dressed up in their best hats to get into the Easter spirit. The youngsters from St Joseph's Infant School in Belstead Road decorated their hats with themes of the season and new life such as flowers, eggs, and chickens.

They then took part in a special assembly at the school where the child with the bonniest hat was chosen for a prize.

Meanwhile it really was an eggs-traordinary eggs-hibition as youngsters presented their Easter event at a village hall.

All 80 pupils from Nacton Village Primary School took part as well as youngsters from Nacton and Bucklesham under 5s playgroup to present a fantastic display of transformed eggs.

There were eggs on surfboards, decorated as seasonal bunnies and sheep, transformed into flowers, and even in bed with bird flu!

Prizes of chocolate eggs were given courtesy of the school association for the prettiest, most seasonal, and most original designs.

The children also enjoyed a traditional Easter Egg hunt around the playground.

Headteacher Elizabeth Ditton said: “It was a lovely way to end the term.”

And dozens of children from Helmingham Community Primary School celebrated the beginning of the spring break with a colourful Easter bonnet competition.

More than 80 children took part in the special parade on Friday.

Headteacher Linda Sherman said: “There were some wonderful creations. Some seemed to have a thousand feathers on them.”

Is your school organising a special event? Call The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.

For video of the St Joseph's Easter celebration visit www.eveningstar.co.uk.