Residents on a residential Forest Gate road threw a big party for hundreds of people last weekend to try and lift the local community and get people talking to their neighbours.

Music, food and games were put on for the family day, held in the grassy centre of Old School Crescent, a secluded street of flats.

It gave neighbours who live side by side but don’t know each other’s names an opportunity to meet one another, and organiser Torriece McAllister says the day was a big success.

He said: “We wanted to send a message of love out to our neighbours and do something positive.

“It was nice to get everyone together and we will definitely be doing it again. I think it was a lift people needed and I’m grateful to those who helped.”

The party was partially funded by the council, who contributed £250. The rest of the bill was footed by Torriece and other residents.