THERE was a lively buzz in Little Wigborough as the village marked the centenary of the forced landing of the Zeppelin airship L33.

Zepfest celebrated the 100th anniversary of this historic event with live entertainment in the barn, tractor and wagon rides to the crash site, as well as children’s games and a host of other attractions.

Hundreds attended the two-day event at Copt Hall to commemorate September 24 1916, which became etched into the village’s history after the Zeppelin landed forcing the German crew to flee the wreckage.

Windy weather kept World War One aircraft on the ground as it was too gusty for the scheduled flypast.

Anne Owen, chair of the organising committee, said it was important to mark the occasion and to educate current generations.

She said: “The zeppelin had to land because it was losing height and they couldn’t get home to Germany across the North Sea so the commander brought it down here just inside the coast.

“In 1916 there were over a quarter of a million people who came to visit the wreckage site because it was such a phenomenon.

“People have learnt a lot here. There was a real buzz and everyone enjoyed it.

“ We might put a memorial plaque at the spot where the Zeppelin came down near New Hall Cottages so people can find it in future because nothing marks it at the moment.”