Christmas feasts help 'build' Stroud's community spirit

Tom Herbert says he believes community is more important than ever in the cost of living crisis

A social enterprise is aiming to build "community spirit" by urging people to hold Christmas feasts in Stroud.

The Long Table has created a free pack containing everything from invitation templates to the recipes needed to host an event.

Founder Tom Herbert said he hoped that thousands of people would take part in this year's The Longest Table initiative - which begins next month.

He said "awesome" things happen when people come together.

"Firstly and most importantly we want to see as many people eating together as possible," he added.

"It is basically about gathering people together. Awesome things happen when people come together.

"We believe this helps people to have a reason for having a date in the diary - whether at home, school, or at a club - we have created a pack that makes it easier and more delicious to have a feast."

Anyone can sign up for The Longest Table pack until Friday for the event - which runs from Friday, 9 December to Sunday, 18 December.

Mr Herbert said he hoped thousands of people would take part

Mr Herbert - who founded the social enterprise in Brimscombe Mill in February 2018 - said he hoped that thousands of people would take part.

It is the fourth time it is due to take place and he said with the ongoing cost of living crisis, community was more important than ever.

• Cost of living emergency declared in city

• The people who can't stop spending

• Food costs rise as farmers struggle with increase

The baker - who once starred in Channel 4 show The Fabulous Baker Brothers - said the initiative was about "building community" especially "in these hard months ahead we are going to need people more than ever".

Signing up for the pack is free and people can donate any money raised to The Long Table - which it will use to help feed people in Stroud, he said.

"If people are able to do the fundraiser we would be glad for any funds. The more comes in the more we can make stuff happen."

Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [e-mail]