THE group which organises the highly successful Ledbury Big Breakfast event will not be organising a Big Lunch attraction for the community this year, unlike the neighbouring town of Newent.

But Ledbury residents hungry for a community celebration will not have to wait long, because the town's Food Group is putting all its energies towards making the Ledbury Community Day a splendid success, as well as planning a Food Festival in the town centre on the last day of the 2014 Poetry Festival, July 13.

Ledbury Food Group spokesman, Griff Holliday said: "We at the Food Group are not planning anything for the Big Lunch, and I am not aware of anything happening in Ledbury.

"But we are gearing up for Ledbury Community Day on Saturday June 7 - when there will be well over sixty groups involved."

On that day, the Food Group itself will be meeting the public in St Katherine's Hall, from 10am to 2pm.

The aim of Ledbury Community Day is to provide an opportunity for local groups to show what they do and encourage participation from locals and visitors, as a "celebration of Ledbury and District’s excellence".

Paul Kinnaird, of the Ledbury Community Day Committee said: "Last year Ledbury Community Day was held as part of the Ledbury Ox Roast weekend, and over fifty groups and organisations took part and made it a super day for the town and its residents. The Burgage Hall was buzzing with people, and the Walled Garden had all kinds of displays.

" Groups taking part told us that it helped them get their message across, recruit new members and helpers, and that it was worth doing again."

He added: "This year we want it to be bigger and better."

Attractions will include an chance to enjoy open day sessions at the The Bowling Club and the Tennis Club.

Other activities on offer will include nordic walking and martial arts, archery, and backstage tours of the Market Theatre.

People will also able to visit the police and fire stations, and enjoy live music in the Walled Garden.

Further details are on the website http://www.ledburycommunityday.org.uk/

The Big Lunch, which Newent will celebrate on Sunday, June 1, is a National community event, which, like the Ledbury Community Day, is planned as "an annual get together for neighbours".

The celebrations in Newent have been organised by the the Voice of Newent Group, and a big attraction will be a "Picnic by the Lake" on the day, from 12.30pm to 4pm.

Other attractions will include stalls, live music, dancing, a treasure hunt, farm animals display and even the chance to put friends and family in the stocks.

Teas will be available in Newent Parish Church.