A group of east Londoners have banded together as a community in response to a rise in racially motivated attacks on minorities since the UK voted to leave the EU.

In reaction to growing incidents of racism across the country the Tower Hamlets Stand Together group organised a ‘community feast’ to help bring people together in the post-brexit climate.

Elaine Bagshaw, Liberal Democrat parliamentary campaigner for Poplar & Limehouse, said: “The Community Feast is a simple yet brilliant way to bring people from our many diverse communities together.

“It was great to spend an afternoon relaxing with new people, hearing stories from people who have grown-up in the borough; who have moved here from abroad or within the UK and the many things we all love about getting to live here.”

More than 50 people attended the community feast, held in St Peter’s Mission Hall, in Warner Place, Bethnal Green, on Saturday for an afternoon sharing their experiences living in the East End.

Of course no feast is complete without the addition of food as a variety of delicious dishes were provided by those in attendance.

“It was great to see so many new people, as well as those who have been joining us at the monthly meetings in the lead up to this event,” said the event organiser, Tilly Munro.

“The people who came gave food so generously that we ended up with quite a lot left over – this was taken to the Hackney Road Project homeless hostel so nothing was wasted.”

Sanu Miah, CEO of community network association (CNA), said the area needs events like the community feast to prevent division and promote unity.

“The community feast has made it possible to stand together and CNA can work together to reduce hate in Tower Hamlets,” said Sanu.

Stand Together holds monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at St Peter’s Mission Hall.

The next community feast event is due to be held in January.