Thousands of families filled Grays Town Park on Wednesday to come together for the seventh, annual Big Lunch.

3,000 people, young and old came along to the park with their picnic and enjoyed a wide range of activities and stalls.

The event, organised by Thurrock Council, began as part of the Eden Project, but numbers have since swelled with over 60 local organisations turning out, making it the ‘biggest event of the year’.

The park was a transformed environment with crowds of people, large stalls, activities such as a 15 foot climbing wall, live music, a Mosque tour and a visit from the Gruffalo.

Carol Spencer, Thurrock Council’s Community Development and Equalities Officer told the Gazette: “Today is all about the Thurrock community getting together, getting on and having a good time.”

“It was an enormous success” she added.

Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Sue Gray, said: “It was a great event that showed when families come out together they can be united in having fun.

“The whole day was a huge success. Tom Flynn and team Princes' Trust, kept the entertainment going, the voluntary sector side stalls were full of information and entertainment.”

She added: “I had a wonderful birthday with the residents of Thurrock who came along.”

Communities portfolio holder, Cllr Jane Pothecary, added: “It was lovely to see so many families co ming together in Grays Park to enjoy spending time together as a community.

“The Big Lunch has grown so much and I'd like to thank everyone involved for their hard work.

“Thurrock is a great place with great people and that is something we should celebrate more often. This month’s Village Beach along with the Big Lunch shows just what can be done when we come together as a community.”

A stage set up in the park was kept busy for four hours with the best of Thurrock - dance schools, singers, and fitness demonstrations.

The event is part of the national Eden project event and this year’s theme was The Gruffalo who visited the park and mingled with the visitors.

Over 60 of Thurrock’s many voluntary organisations, charities and council services supported the event which was held in partnership with Riverside Community Big Local.