THE sight of meat deliveries being made by horse and cart (or rather carriage) in Bungay yesterday brought back memories of the days before the car was invented.

THE sight of meat deliveries being made by horse and cart (or rather carriage) in Bungay yesterday brought back memories of the days before the car was invented.

Mayor of Bungay and butcher John Groom used real horsepower during his morning rounds as a symbol of the town's car-free day.

The event was organised by Sustainable Bungay as part of a Europe-wide day to encourage people to leave their cars at home and walk, cycle or use public transport to get to work or school.

One of the organisers, Kate Jackson, said she welcomed the mayor's support. “It is an awareness-raising exercise as much as anything, starting to put the question into people's minds on whether they want to get out of the habit of instantly jumping into the car,” she said. “Some people get into the car just to go 100 metres down the road. I hope this will become an annual day.”

Mr Groom made deliveries to St Mary's House residential care home in Earsham Street and the Moorings residential home in Earsham. He said: “This is a great initiative which will encourage people to get more exercise as well as saving fuel.”

Godric Cycling Club and bookprinters Clay's also showed their support for the day. And about 20 cyclists young and old met at a rally at 5pm at the Butter Cross in Bungay town centre before heading home.