MORE than 170 local residents enjoyed a meal together thanks to a free Big Lunch event organised by Calico’s Neighbourhood Action Team for South West Burnley.

The Big Lunch is a national initiative that aims to get as many people across the UK to have lunch with their neighbours annually on the first Sunday in June.

Residents filled the South West Burnley Community Centre, in Valley Street, to enjoy a free lunch, and to take part in a whole host of fun and games, including a bouncy castle, arts and crafts, and face painting.

Burnley Pupils Parliament ran a range of stalls to raise money for older peoples charities with visitors having the chance to take part in fun competitions, including a chocolate tombola, ‘Adopt a Teddy’, and ‘Scoop a Duck’.

Alicia Foley, Calico’s community involvement advisor, said: "We were really happy to invite the community back into a centre that has not been used for a number of years and to have such a good turnout.

"We served 170 lunches on the day and it was great to chat to people about our exciting plans for the centre in the future."