Enjoy a 'Big Lunch' in your street

Rochdale residents are being invited to enjoy lunch with their neighbours as part of Britain's 'Big Lunch' event.

Neighbours can enjoy a party in their street as they stop what they are doing and sit down to lunch together on Sunday 19 July.

Rochdale Online has created a community website for the big lunch where we will share details of all the big lunch events taking place across the borough.

If you are going to have a party contact Rochdale Online News at news@rochdaleonline.co.uk or talk to the news team on 01706 523583 or 07538 579786 and we will post details of your party on the site so that your neighbours can join you.

Let us know where your party will be, how many you are expecting, are you having a band, music, dancing?

After the event email your party photos to news@rochdaleonline.co.uk or text them to 07538 579786 and we will put them on the website.

The driving force behind the big lunch project is Tim Smit, the founder of the Eden Project, and Paul Twivy, a member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Social Action and CEO of the big lunch. They are hoping that the big lunch will become an annual national event when the communities of Britain can sit down together, share food, drink and conversation and explore their differences and join together in a celebration of what unites people.

Residents can visit the big lunch website and get ideas on how to create their perfect big lunch event.

Some locals have already shown an interest in having a party and Rochdale Council is also looking at ways in which they can help.

If you are going to have a party or you require any further information contact Karen Davies, Community Regeneration Officer at the Council, on 01706 924829 or email karen.davies@rochdale.gov.uk.