NEIGHBOURS in a Basingstoke street came together last month in a bid to get to know each other better.

Ashley Dowling held a street party outside his home in Clover Field, Lychpit on July 25, and people attending the party got to meet their neighbours while enjoying a host of food and drink.

The 26-year-old, who has lived in the area for four years, told The Gazette: “The reason for having the street party was to create unity and connection within the street.

"It is too easy in day-to-day life to rush by your neighbours with a quick ‘hello’ and ‘morning’ and never really get to speak to them properly.

“By getting everybody together to enjoy some food, drink and music together it was an amazing opportunity to get to know people and find out more about the people we've spent so long living near.”

He added: “It was amazing how willing people were to spend their Saturday at the party and to bring along some food and drink to contribute to the group.

“I think it would be great if more people organised and had street parties. Several people there said that it would lovely to make it a yearly event.”