THERE’S still time for Dorset residents to get involved with this year’s Big Lunch on Sunday, June 1, when the UK’s annual get-together for neighbours takes place.

The aim of the Lottery-funded event, which is now in its sixth year, is to get as many of the 63million people as possible together to have lunch with their neighbours.

Big Lunches needn’t be complicated or expensive; they can be any size or shape and can take place anywhere where neighbours can get together, from streets and gardens to parks, allotments and community centres.

With 48 days to go, there is still time for people to start planning. To help make the process easy, The Big Lunch has created free packs, which include posters, invitations, an inspiration booklet and other materials to help people get started.

Rod Curtis, who has organised Big Lunches in Wareham, said: “We’ve had two fantastic Big Lunch events so far.”

Research shows that that there are many benefits to having a Big Lunch.

More than 60 per cent of organisers say having an event in their community made them feel less isolated and 86 per cent of the 3.65million people that took part in last year’s Big Lunch reported a positive long-term effect in their neighbourhood as a result of the event.

Sir Tim Smit, founding director, Eden Project and co-founder of The Big Lunch, said: “The Big Lunch is all about getting together and having fun.

“It doesn’t have to be a big event, even a small get-together in your garden or on your street – and, of course, the vital ingredient – food.”

Visit thebiglunch.com for more details and to request a free planning pack.