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Suffolk Punch horses beat Ed Sheeran as top Suffolk icon

BBC Suffolk Punch and foalBBC
Critically endangered Suffolk punch horses were voted as the county's top icon in a poll for Suffolk Day

Suffolk Punch horses are bigger icons in the county than popstar Ed Sheeran, according to a poll to mark Suffolk Day.

The critically endangered horses were voted for in a poll run by The East Anglian Daily Times and BBC Radio Suffolk.

Five people, including artist Maggi Hambling, have been awarded the Suffolk Medal as part of the celebrations.

The first Suffolk Day, created by BBC Radio Suffolk, took place in 2017.

Suffolk Punches, the oldest English breed of working horse, topped the list which also included Framlingham Castle, the subject of Sheeran's popular Castle on the Hill song.

PA Media Ed SheeranPA Media
Ed Sheeran came 10th in a poll of Suffolk icons - the day after being named most-played UK artist for 2021

The popstar, who was the most-played artist in the UK last year, was the first person on the list of Suffolk icons after being pushed into 10th place by landmarks like the Orwell Bridge and Adnam's beer.

Since starting in 2017, Suffolk Day, which happens annually on 21 June, has been supported by Suffolk County Council and the East Anglian Daily Times.

Suffolk Day
Mark Murphy (second from left) and team got BBC Radio Suffolk's Suffolk Day coverage under way at Framlingham Castle

BBC Radio Suffolk breakfast show presenter Mark Murphy said: "It really does go to show what an amazing place Suffolk is for its landmarks, history and people."

PA Media Sutton Hoo maskPA Media
The Sutton Hoo mask was included in a list of Suffolk icons
Orwell Bridge
The Orwell Bridge

The Suffolk Medal was launched in 2019 to champion exceptional contributions of Suffolk people that have had a lasting impact on the people of the county.

This year's recipients, which include the medal's artist Maggi Hambling, will receive their medals during a ceremony at Framlingham Castle.

Sylvaine Poitau Suffolk MedalSylvaine Poitau
The Suffolk Medal was designed by Maggi Hambling, who will this year receive a medal herself

Other winners include farmer and philanthropist James Buckle and Dame Clare Marx.

BBC Radio Suffolk is broadcasting from locations around the county throughout the day.

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The top 25 icons of Suffolk poll results:

1. Suffolk Punch

2. Framlingham Castle

3. Orwell Bridge

4. Sutton Hoo mask

5. Hay Wain by John Constable

6. House in the Clouds, Thorpeness

7. Snape Maltings

8. Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds

9. Adnams beer

10. Ed Sheeran

11. Southwold lighthouse

12. Woodbridge Tide Mill

13. Beach huts on the coast

14. Sir Bobby Robson

15. Thomas Gainsborough

16. Newmarket Racecourse

17. Landguard Fort

18. Christchurch Mansion

19. Felixstowe cranes

20. Sir Alf Ramsey

21. Aspall cider

22. Crooked House, Lavenham

23. Benjamin Britten

24. Suffolk trinity - Suffolk Punch, Red Poll, Suffolk Sheep

25. Big blue skies

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