FILIPIONOS from across Lancashire joined together for a celebration mass and traditional meal in Burnley at the weekend.

The Filipino community of Burnley came together with fellow countrymen and women from Oldham, Rochdale and Bury for a Mass at St John the Baptist RC Church in Ivy Street.

The 200-strong congregation was addressed by Fr Apolo de Guzman, chaplain to the United States Air Force base at Menwith Hill, in the native Tagalog language.

He blessed their babies and young children and prayed for their families back home. The day was rounded off with a meal of whole roast pig and lutong pinoy food, a Filipino speciality, which everyone brought to share.

Fr Michael Waters, parish priest of St. John's, said it was a time for the church to show its appreciation to the community.

He said: "We first welcomed Filipinos in 2001 when they came to work in the health services. Most of them are Catholics so it was natural that they would feel at home in the Catholic parishes of Burnley.

"Everyone acknowledges that they have contributed generously to those who are sick and in need of care by their cheerful dedication and sense of duty."