BUNTING decorated Oxford’s Blackbird Leys Park as families from across the area united for their first Big Lunch yesterday.

Families laid on a feast for their neighbours as people across the nation gathered for the annual event led by Cornwall’s Eden Project.

It was the first time residents from Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys had taken to the nine hectares of greenery for the one-day afternoon get-together.

City councillor for Northfield Brook Sian Taylor, who joined the luncheon, said: “There is something about people coming together and bringing food and sharing food.

“This is an event which has been organised within the community. I think that’s important. This is how communities build and people get to know each other. It’s really nice that people came along.”

About 70 people basked in thesunshine before enjoying a spread of treats including sandwiches, cakes and pizza donated by visitors to the free event.

It was one of hundreds of events planned across the country, which saw millions of people come together to get to know their neighbours.

The Big Lunch came to Blackbird Leys Park for the first time after residents were awarded £200 in funding from Oxford City Council as part of the Leys Community Chest grant, which funds activities and events for The Leys community.

The city council’s communities and neighbourhoods team then united with a group of residents to organise the event, which was held between noon and 5pm.

Greater Leys resident and organiser Nindy Devi said: “It brought the community together. We got to meet our neighbours or people living nearby.

“This was our chance to meet new people and make new friends as well.”

Giant children’s games, including Jenga and Four in a Row, space hoppers and Swingball kept youngsters entertained throughout the afternoon.

Visitors enjoyed the Blackbird Leys Community Choir and members of Leys Community Market lent their support to the event, offering tea and scones.