Britons get neighbourly at parties

A series of picnics and street parties have been held across the country to encourage people to meet their neighbours.

Organisers said they expected more than two million people to take part in The Big Lunch which is the idea of Eden Project founder Tim Smit and Paul Twivy.

Mr Smit said: "The greatest things in life are simple and great memories are usually made of things we do ourselves. So, all we want is for people to get out on their street, raise a glass and share a bite with their neighbours - that's The Big Lunch."

Big Lunches were taking place at venues including London's Regent's Park, Roundhay Park in Leeds and Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park, as well as in hundreds of street parties around the country.

Five streets in Liverpool's Toxteth district were transformed into an open-air art gallery for the day and Sikh temples in London and Bradford dished up plates of curry for their neighbours.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling joined in by hosting a party in the garden of 10 Downing Street.