LUDLOW once again proved its credentials as a 'can do' town as volunteers and locals came together over free breakfasts to celebrate the importance of having a strong local community.

The free breakfasts were organised and served by volunteers from Hands Together Ludlow, the local charity with a reputation for helping develop local solutions for local issues.

Approximately 200 free breakfasts were served from the Local To Ludlow food station to surprised locals and visitors enjoying the sunshine in Ludlow's Market Square on May 30.

Hands Together Ludlow's aim is to work with other charities and organisations to provide coordinated solutions supporting local people.

Commenting on the event Peter Gray, HTL's volunteer coordinator, said he was "delighted to see so many locals taking the opportunity to talk to each other and reflect on all that is good about Ludlow" before adding "if people enjoying a breakfast on us can take two minutes to help a neighbour, or even just hold a door open for a stranger then today's a great success."

The event, supported by Local to Ludlow, Broad Bean, Spa, Francis Butchers, Prices, Farmers, and The Methodist Church was the latest in a series of HTL activities involving food, including weekly lunch clubs at Helena Lane, redistributing surplus festival food to the local community, and supplying charities such as Ludlow Foodbank with surplus stocks from local retailers.

David Harlington, volunteer and one of the charities founding trustees, confirmed the success of this surprise initiative, saying he hoped this would be "the first of many informal breakfast events bringing local people together, making Ludlow an even better and brighter place to live".

Anyone wishing to volunteer with the charity or learn more about upcoming events can get in touch through the @handstogetherludlow Facebook page or by telephoning 07584 858056.