A field near Southwold has undergone its annual transformation into one of the area's best-loved attraction - and been named as the UK's top maize maze in the process.

Lowestoft Journal: Southwold Maize Maze which has opened for business. Manager Bella Hall in the maze.Picture: James BassSouthwold Maize Maze which has opened for business. Manager Bella Hall in the maze.Picture: James Bass (Image: (C) Archant Norfolk 2015)

Every year, the Southwold Maize Maze in Halesworth Road unveils a theme inspired by Suffolk - and this summer is no exception.

Drawing inspiration from the Southwold to Halesworth railway line, the mazes are train-themed.

And for the first time the owners have created a smaller maze alongside the bigger one, as part of their ongoing bid to make the attraction as family-friendly as they can.

Manager Bella Hall said: 'Normally we just have one maze with eight stamp points, but for the little ones that can be a little bit long, so we've divided it into a big maze and a mini maze.

'The smaller one just has five stamp points, and children can do just one or both and it's working really well so far.

'The kids love it and the parents love it, they don't have to struggle round a big maze with a toddler.'

It has been named Maize Maze of the Year 2015, and Mrs Hall said the poor weather has not deterred people so far.

'You can never guarantee the weather,' she said. 'But numbers are picking up and I think they will carry on being quite good.

'The early signs were good, and visitor numbers were good before the schools even broke up so I'm quite positive.'

As well as the two mazes, there are go karts and a jumping pillow, included in the admission fee.

'I've got three children and I know how difficult it is to find things they are all going to be interested in,' said Mrs Hall. 'And it all adds up, I know how irritating it is when there's one thing after another to pay for.

'So it's nice to have that one fee and everything is included.'

The Maize Maze will be open until the first week of September and will host a 'Maze by Torchlight' event on Saturday, August 29 in aid of Cancer Research UK.

For more, visit www.southwoldmaizemaze.co.uk or call 07801 065845

What are your children up to this summer? Send your photos to andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk