A COMMUNITY project created in South East Cornwall this year brought more than nine million people together across the country.

The Big Lunch took place across the UK on Sunday, June 18, forming the highlight of The Great Get Together weekend, in memory of murdered MP Jo Cox.

The Big Lunch was invented by the Eden Project as an annual celebration for neighbours, aiming to bring people and communities together.

Organisers have revealed that 9.3 million – or 14 per cent of the population – attended a community event over that weekend, an uplift of nearly two million on The Big Lunch celebrations the previous year.

Eden Project executive director Peter Stewart said: ‘We are massively encouraged by this year’s participation figures.

‘Evidence shows that bringing neighbours together for a Big Lunch is not only fun, it also binds community spirit.

‘With the sun shining brightly and The Big Lunch underpinning The Great Get Together, this was our best year yet.’

Events took place across Cornwall, including in Liskeard.