It is one of East Anglia's most well-known tales - the life and times of Ditchingham's "chicken roundabout".

A unique landmark that quickly became a source of local pride and amusement, its story stands as a testament to the town's creativity and whimsical spirit.

The story of the chicken roundabout begins in the early 1980s.

Eastern Daily Press: There were chickens at the site before there was a roundaboutThere were chickens at the site before there was a roundabout (Image: Newsquest)At the time, Bungay was grappling with traffic congestion issues during the motor vehicle boom and local authorities decided to build a roundabout to alleviate problems.

In 1986, the roundabout was officially unveiled to the delight of the Bungay community. 

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It was discovered soon after its unveiling that a flock of fowl that had been living on the site prior to its construction had moved onto the roundabout, surviving on grain foraged from nearby maltings.

Up to 300 chickens lived on the roundabout during the 1990s and early 2000s, cared for by a local man called Gordon Knowles.

Eastern Daily Press: Gordon Knowles feeding a chicken at 'Chicken Roundabout'Gordon Knowles feeding a chicken at 'Chicken Roundabout' (Image: Archant)Over the years, the "chicken roundabout" as it came to be called, earned its place in legend and a symbol of Bungay's quirky personality.

But in 2009, the flock's numbers fell considerably from around 100 to less than 30.

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Further problems saw their numbers dwindle to just six and in 2010 the remaining six chickens were handed over to an animal charity. Eastern Daily Press: Up to 300 chickens lived on the roundabout at one timeUp to 300 chickens lived on the roundabout at one time (Image: Newsquest)In 2012, a plaque was unveiled celebrating Knowles' work with the birds and a ceremony was held at the roundabout to commemorate his efforts.

Bungay town councillor Deirdre Shepherd described Knowles as "a living legend" and "one of the last of the great eccentrics".

Calls to tribute the famous chickens with a statue have been put forward as recently as January when an organisation called New Rock launched a campaign to install a number of new statues.