INSPIRED by the Saffron Walden Maze Festival, the town’s shops reached new heights of creativity this week as they competed in the A-mazing Shop Window Display Competition.

Yew sprigs, wheat stalks, ribbons, strings, corn cobs, liquorice catherine wheels and packets and boxes of all shapes and sizes were amongst the items used to design a wide variety of maze-related displays as the shops demonstrated their backing of this unique event.

The organisers, members of the Saffron Walden Initiative, were delighted with the response and the number of shops that took part.

One of the judges, Rachel Thomas of the Tourist Information Centre, said how pleasing it was that so many of the town’s businesses were willing to participate in a community event of this sort.

The standard of the displays was very high and the eventual winner was The Sweet Shop in George Street, whose eye-catching display was colourful, imaginative and fun.

Second prize went to the Oxfam shop in King Street and third prize to Citizens Advice Bureau in Barnard’s Yard. Also highly commended were Sassini and Wurrl in Hill Street and the Saffron Walden Laundry in Gold Street.

For a chance to win an A-mazing Prize, the competition to spot the mazes in the town’s shop windows continues until the end of the festival next Sunday, August 28. Entry forms are available from participating shops and from the Tourist Information Centre.