THERE was a big turnout when a town came together at the weekend for a giant feast.

The Baldock Big Lunch 2011 saw more than 400 people take over Baldock High Street on Sunday afternoon as residents enjoyed a meal in each other’s company.

Part of a UK-wide event by the Eden Project which was launched in 2009 in a bid to bring communities together, this year’s gathering in the town saw 100 more people join in compared to last year’s inaugural event.

All the food was supplied by Baldock-based businesses with meat provided by Chapmans Butchers and rolls from Tesco, before being cooked on the barbecue by caterers Discreet Chef.

Two extra offerings for this year came from restaurants The Lancer, who served up Indian cuisine, and Zeus Hotel, who completed the menu with Greek dishes.

To help accommodate the hungry visitors, tables and chairs were supplied by Baldock Community Centre, St Marys Church, Letchworth and Baldock District Scouts and Zeus Hotel.

A giant bouncy castle, live music and free face painting were also on offer throughout the day.

Murray Fastier, Baldock’s town centre manager, said: “It was a fantastic day. All three menu items were all very well received.

“It’s a countrywide thing which we will keep up every year now – we are the only ones in the area doing it. It was a really good day and the whole high street was buzzing.

“It’s the second year we have taken the Big Lunch challenge and it goes to show Baldock folk are full of a fantastic and warm community spirit.”