FOOD and entertainment from around the world was on offer at an event on an Oxford estate to introduce different sections of the community to each other, and let them know what resources were available to them.

People in Barton gathered for the international afternoon, at Bayards Hill Primary School, in Waynflete Road.

The event was organised to promote local groups and help strengthen community ties.

Alan Foulkes, coordinator for Barton Community Development Project, said the multicultural event was a great success.

He said: "Over the past few years the population from different countries and ethnic backgrounds has grown hugely in Barton.

"We thought there are a lot of new people, but are they aware of the services in the community and what is happening locally?

"We thought it would be a really good opportunity to get together to have fun and have information available."

Mr Foulkes said the afternoon was organised by local community workers and parents of children at Bayards Hill Primary School.

The community brought food to share from across the globe, including dishes from Eastern Europe, Africa, India and the Caribbean. Some also dressed in ethnic costume.

The newly-formed Barton Singing Group and schoolchildren entertained visitors with songs while the local karate group put on a show.

And members of the community project, health visitors, staff from the family centre, members of Oxfordshire Welfare Rights group and Thames Valley Police were on hand to give out information, as well as advice about adult education classes and learning English as a foreign language.

Mr Foulkes said: "It was a very friendly atmosphere, everybody enjoyed it.

"It gave them a chance to meet other people and learn more about local services."

He added the event was the first of its kind on the estate but he hoped another could now happen.

Barton resident and mum-of-four Judy Thompson said the event was a great way to meet new people.

The 31-year-old, from Stowford Road, said: "It was fantastic. The event was really about getting the community together.

"There are lots of people from different nationalities and languages.

"It was basically to get everybody out there and sharing information. Hopefully, it's going to be a yearly thing."